While the Central Bank has had a reasonably good record in relation to the regulation and supervision of the prudential sector, it has a poor record in the area of consumer protection. Its primary focus has been on ensuring the maximum solvency of the financial institutions which come within its remit. The key barometer in determining whether a financial institution is healthy, solvent and secure is its profits. Such institutions do not make apologies for the fact that their interest in taxation matters and consumer interests is negligible or non-existent. Perhaps I should revise my comment that they have little interest in taxation – there was quite a degree of whinging from the banks when a paltry levy of €300 million was foisted on them in last December's budget.