Liam Twomey (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 80: To ask the Minister for Finance if the base-line costs in the banks are in line with the costs of similar banks in other jurisdictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34931/11]

Liam Twomey (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 81: To ask the Minister for Finance when looking at profit margins of the banks, are they in line with similar institutions in Europe after we have stripped out impairment charges on the bad loans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34932/11]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 80 and 81 together.

The Central Bank of Ireland has informed me that it does not conduct comparisons across local/international banks or banking sectors. They have also informed me that bank operating costs, funding costs and profitability vary significantly by jurisdiction, credit rating and time. This is due to differences in local law, products sold, general market risk appetite/tolerance and the impact of seasonal variations in funding liquidity.

Questions No. 82 answered with Question No. 74.