John Kelly (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I support Senator Ó Clochartaigh on the cut in funding for the National Deaf Society. It would be a good idea for the Leader to invite the Minister to attend the House for a debate on that matter. Many of these decisions on cuts are just handled by civil servants and then handed to Ministers who follow suit. On many occasions, however, I do not think the cuts are a good idea at all. This cut is a prime example.

A banking inquiry is planned, but it is time this House debated the administration of the banking system. We had an excellent debate yesterday on the administration of the Environmental Protection Agency, so we should have a similar discussion on how our banks operate. We own our banks, yet the service they provide is appalling. When one goes into a bank branch now there is a queue out the door, with elderly people among those in the queue. Some 80% of bank customers are dealing with machines when trying to lodge money or withdraw it. It is absolutely outrageous. Meanwhile, there are very few tellers who can deal with customers.

A friend of mine, who is a businesswoman, went into a bank on Tuesday to take €2,400 out of her account to pay a plumber. She was told that the teller was sick and was asked to return the following day because they could not give her the money then. That is outrageous. On the other hand, the credit union movement-----