Terry Brennan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Like Senator Mooney, I am deeply concerned about the proposal to hand over social welfare payments to banks, but not for the same reason as he stated. Such payments are the main function of a number of post offices and the proposal is liable to lead to their closure.

Functions of banks, as far as I am concerned, can mean a lengthy wait. I have experienced the matter on three occasions in the past fortnight because I had to complete functions - queries or whatever - with my bank that could not be done online but needed my personal attention. I had to wait on each occasion. I waited for 35 minutes on one occasion and 40 minutes each for the other two occasions. During that time I witnessed people in wheelchairs, people with walking sticks and elderly people having to wait to carry out such business that I am sure 80% of people can do online.

If this function is handed over to the banks, it will lead to longer queues and longer waiting times in them. I call on the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Rabbitte, to come to the House to discuss the issue.