Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am aware of the technical report but, as the Minister said, this was completed a number of years ago. We have to be cognisant of the degree and extent to which the banking market has changed. We can all say that in the past number of years much has changed in general, not just within the banking market. We had quite an interesting discussion yesterday in Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach with KBC representatives. AIB and Bank of Ireland have strengthened their position and their market share and another report, therefore, would be of benefit and of interest. I find it interesting that on these amendments the Minister seems to be coming back to me on why he disagrees with the things that are suggested to be looked at in the report. That is completely fair enough and it is his prerogative to have an opinion on the matter. The point, however, is that this amendment is talking about having a report on and taking a look at this. That technical report happened a number of years ago but I do not see how such a further report would not be of benefit now as things have changed, as we have seen, in the banking market. It can only be of benefit then to take a look at that.

Then we could have a debate on the report or take a look at what it says and see what point of view comes out of that.

See this speech in context