Lorraine Higgins (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his response but I am disappointed with it. I find it does not deal specifically with the question I asked. I feel the response was drafted in such a way that we are talking around it rather than getting to the crux of the issue. Terms such as “not aware” and “in general” have been used throughout the response which is most disappointing.

The reality is the State and the taxpayer bailed out these banks. The Minister claims customer details are confidential but we own the majority of Irish banks with a stake of 15% in Bank of Ireland. The taxpayer should be given the information I sought this evening. It is regrettable that this has not happened. Will the Minister of State pass on a request for an independent investigation into this matter to the Department of Finance and the Minister? It is the State and taxpayer that will lose out as variable mortgages attract higher payments than tracker mortgages. Obviously, it will be the State that will be at a loss in terms of profits.