Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Tánaiste might be playing little games with Sinn Féin, but I want to go back to the banks. When is this Government going to deal with the banks? The Government removed the moratorium and thousands of small businesses and homeowners are now being threatened and intimidated. Many of them are trying to engage with the banks but they can get no clarity on what is going to happen going forward. Some of those who are able to pay want to pay a lesser amount now because of the lack of income.

European interest rates are way lower and the mortgage rates are twice as high here. When is the Government going to deal with the banks? We bailed them out. It is time that they respected the pandemic and the fact that we are all in it together. The banks are in it as well. They have to deal with people sensitively and appropriately and not terrorise them, which is what they are doing. In the middle of a pandemic, they are driving them over the brink with letters, demands for money and a lack of engagement with customers.

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