Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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Question 54: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will ensure that the banks, which are under the control of the State, are not refusing mortgages to persons with the means to repay them under small technical issues such as the estate not being taken in charge of by the council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20793/12]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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Policy in relation to individual credit lending decisions in the covered banks is a matter for the management and board of those institutions. I have no role in the day-to-day commercial and operational decisions of the banks, which include these matters. These decisions are taken by the board and management of the institution. Notwithstanding the fact that the State is a significant shareholder in a number of these institutions, I must ensure that these banks are run on a commercial, cost effective and independent basis to ensure the value of the bank as an asset to the State, as per the Memorandum on Economic and Financial Policies agreed with the EU Commission, the ECB and the IMF. Relationship Frameworks have now been agreed that clearly define the nature of the relationship between me and each of these institutions. Those Frameworks were published on 30 March 2012 and can be found at; http://banking.finance.gov.ie/presentations-and-latest-documents/.