Ivor Callely (Fianna Fail)

I agree with my good friend, Senator Donohoe. I support the view that a discussion on banks, especially foreign banks operating in Ireland, and the financial institutions is necessary. Given the current market, it is likely that Halifax will not be the only foreign bank to pull out from Ireland. My concern rests with its workers. More importantly, it rests with the customers of Halifax and the other foreign banks likely to follow it in terms of how they will be treated by the banks or agencies of the banks. The larger issue is the banks' modus operandi in dealing with customers and their customers' accounts and debts. I am deeply concerned by the manner in which customers would be treated in a flush of financial institutions.

A letter I have from Halifax to one of its customers asks the customer to contact the bank if he or she does not receive certain information.