Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I agree with the Deputy's points, particularly with regard to rural communities and the regions. That is why a specified percentage of the population must be no less than 5 km and no more than 10 km from an ATM. There must be a specified number of ATMs per 100,000 people and a specified percentage of the population must be within 10 km of a cash service point. These are locations where cash can be deposited and withdrawn and where there is in-person assistance available. Bank branches and post offices satisfy this definition. We are keen and will try to bring the Bill to Second Stage when we return in the autumn. With the co-operation of everyone in the House, we will try to advance it to Committee Stage and through the two Houses. It is important this Government enacts this important legislation. My predecessor as Minister, Deputy Michael McGrath, put significant work into this. We also had the pre-legislative scrutiny process and engagement with the European Commission, which had to be consulted on the framework of the Bill. All of that work has been concluded and, as I said, I expect to get Government approval in the coming weeks.

See this speech in context