Shane Ross (Independent)

Although the Minister has removed these personnel, he seems to be replacing them all with the old guard. There was a chorus of applause, which will increase, at the appointment of Mr. Pat Molloy this morning as chairman of the Bank of Ireland. This is just more of the old guard coming back. What the Minister has done with Bank of Ireland is appoint a chief executive who is an insider and a chairman who is a Bank of Ireland lifer. It is no good saying we are introducing a new broom to an old bank when an old broom is being brought into an old bank.

This is sleight of hand and I do not know if it is because the Minister wants to move into a comfort zone where he will be applauded by the business community, IBEC and others. It is not what the banks need, as they need a new culture, a new group of people from outside the banks. The Minister approved the appointment of a chairman from inside AIB as well.