Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Eventually, we will be in a situation where elderly people who have small sums of money to deposit will have to keep that money in their own houses, which will encourage more burglaries. This problem relates not only to banking but also raises other societal issues. The culture of banking is changing, as Senator MacSharry noted, and is not being challenged or supported by the regulator. The Minister for Finance has a responsibility to protect taxpayers. The banks have been supported by the taxpayers. It is now time for the banks to provide a service to the taxpayer. That is not being done and it must be challenged. Will the Leader invite the Minister for Finance to the House to discuss the current status of retail banking in the State and what his Department is doing to support ordinary customers? The banks are riding roughshod over customers throughout the country.