Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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284. To ask the Minister for Finance the Government's position in relation to an issue (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1462/17]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware from my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 98, reference no. 32579/16 on 2 November last, I have no statutory role in relation to banking decisions made by financial institutions to provide, alter or amend the range of services which it provides. This is ultimately a commercial decision for the management team and board of each lending institution, having due regard to their customers.

In addition, the Deputy will be aware that the lending institutions in Ireland, including those in which the State has a significant shareholding, are independent commercial entities and that relationship frameworks are in place with the State owned banks which provide that the State will not intervene in the day-to-day operations of the banks or their management decisions. These frameworks are required to ensure that the banks are run on a commercial, cost effective and independent basis to ensure the value of the banks as an asset for the State.