Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Collins for raising this issue. I am not aware of the background or detail of this individual case and the O'Donovan family. As Deputy Collins has said, they have been a long-standing business family in Clonakilty down through the years, providing a very good service to the people of Clonakilty and surrounding hinterlands. I am at a difficulty in terms of responding in respect of the detail of the commercial relationship between the family and AIB and, subsequently, I believe Deputy Collins said, Everyday Finance.

I will meet the family but I cannot offer or promise anything at this late stage given it has gone from one bank to another to receivership. I am not clear what legal advice the family may have received in respect of what Deputy Collins has said. Prima facieit suggests a breach of the law, maybe. I am not in a position to say this because this is the first detailed presentation I have heard on this. Deputy Collins has raised it now without notice. Ordinarily, people engage to see whether such issues can be resolved. I will leave it at that. It is not for me. I am not in a position to direct that all actions cease. I do not have that executive power in the office that I hold. There have been many cases over the past decade were issues did get resolved where there were challenges and difficulties of the type referenced by Deputy Collins. I am not clear as to why this did not occur in respect of this particular family business.

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