Colm Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I agree with Senator MacSharry's comments to a large extent except that the Personal Insolvency Act will make a difference. One of the concerns I have and which I want the Deputy Leader to follow up is that members of the accountancy profession have approached me and advised that they now have difficultly, just like my colleagues in the legal profession, entering into negotiations with the banks. Some of their clients have been referred to retired bank officials who have set up consultancy businesses and who so not seem to have any difficulty in accessing the banks and can talk to someone in the banks. I am concerned that some banks have adopted a new policy that they will only talk to people who have previously worked in the banking sector when dealing with people who want to reach a sensible arrangement that would satisfy the bank and the borrower. I ask for the matter to be clarified. I want the Minister for Finance to seek clarification from the banks that they are prepared to deal with everyone, whether in the legal profession or accountancy profession, who wants to work with them on behalf of their clients. I ask that the issue be clarified. I want to know that negotiations are not solely confined to retired people who have set themselves up as consultants. It is an urgent matter which needs immediate attention.