Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Earlier the Taoiseach said he was very committed to regional development, particularly in the west and north west. Towns like Ballyhaunis are leading the way in driving the recovery after the challenging time rural areas have had and indeed after the collapse of the banking system.

The excellent work done by the Ballyhaunis Chamber of Commerce, Ballyhaunis Community Council and other voluntary groups and individuals in the town is widely acknowledged. This work makes Ballyhaunis an attractive town to live and work in and these organisations and individuals are to the forefront of inclusiveness in rural development. For months, the threatened closure of the Bank of Ireland branch in Ballyhaunis has cast a shadow over this town and surrounding area. For a financial institution to be allowed to turn its back and withdraw these vital services runs contrary to the programme for Government aim of revitalising small towns. If he has not done so, can the Taoiseach and his Minister for Finance meet the banking executives and ask them to reconsider their decision to close this branch and to engage with the chamber of commerce and community council in the town in this regard?

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