Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am glad to speak on this important matter. When it comes to an issue such as this, people need to have confidence in our banking system. When it comes to money laundering and all the new types of crimes that are being carried out through the use of bank cards, Internet banking and all of that, the one thing it make us all realise is how important it was to be able to walk through the door of a bank, know the manager and staff and be able to talk to them. People could trust bank staff to deal with their business. Unfortunately, banking has become impersonal. Castleisland, Killorglin and many other places have lost Bank of Ireland branches in recent times. It is a disgrace that the great town of Killorglin, which I am proud to have represented for many years, both on Kerry County Council and in Dáil Éireann, has lost its Bank of Ireland branch. Likewise, to see Castleisland, a great business and trading town, lose its branch was an awful blow to the bank's loyal customers.

The people who work in our banks are exemplary. They are great people. Yesterday, however, and God knows I was not looking for something to be doing, I stood outside a bank for 45 minutes waiting to get as far as the door to join the queue inside to talk to somebody about the few items of business I needed to do. However, forget about me. What about a person who is older or anyone with an infirmity or a medical problem, having to stand in the rain for that length of time? That is not the way to treat customers. This particular bank was an AIB branch. What are the banks doing? They would not still be in existence only for the people bailing them out and backing them up. It was agreed between a large number of people in this House at the time to bail them out. This is the thanks they give people. Customers are left queuing outside in the cold and rain in order to come inside and avail of their services. As I said, the people who work in our banking institutions are brilliant. God knows they have more to put up than anyone else because there are fewer of them as their roles are done away with and computers are put in their place. That has led to the loss of much-needed jobs. Is it any wonder that the situation is ripe for crime and for people with bad ideas to get their way?

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