Lorraine Higgins (Labour)

Last week I raised the issue of Ulster Bank. At that time we were assured that all the issues pertaining to the whole debacle would be sorted out by the end of that week. We are now in the third week and the problem still persists. It is nothing short of shambolic on the part of the management that people are still not being paid their wages, that their social welfare entitlements are not being paid and that they are unsure that the bank systems are competent enough to accurately record transactions. More worryingly, I wrote to Stephen Hester, the chief executive officer of Royal Bank of Scotland, two weeks ago and I await a response from him. That is an indication of the priority Ireland is getting in this situation. It is distasteful and disdainful that we would receive a public relations message from the bank stating that it is sorry for this when it is simply not good enough.

At this point I am forced to reiterate the calls I made last week with regard to an Oireachtas inquiry being held into this matter. It is the only mechanism capable of holding to account those responsible for this debacle and horrendous ineptitude. Also, I call on the bank not to charge their customers bank fees until January 2013 and I call on the management in Ireland and the United Kingdom to agree to forego their bonuses. I would like cross-party support in my calls on that basis.