Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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77. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will prevent the closures of banks (details supplied); if he has met with officials regarding the latest announcement of closures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15615/17]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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78. To ask the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the widespread concerns in many rural communities due to the decision of a bank (details supplied) to close branches in Arva and Cootehill, County Cavan, and Carrickmacross, County Monaghan; if he will raise with the bank the need to review these decisions in view of the serious losses to local towns resulting from the closure of such banking facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15632/17]

Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
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79. To ask the Minister for Finance the contact he had with a bank (details supplied) regarding the announcement of branch closures and jobs losses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15646/17]

Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
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80. To ask the Minister for Finance his views on the impact of branch closures of a bank (details supplied) on the availability of banking services to persons here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15647/17]

Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
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81. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will meet with the Financial Services Union regarding the branch closures and job losses announced in a bank (details suppled). [15648/17]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 77 to 81, inclusive, together.

I note with regret that Ulster Bank is closing a significant number of branches with considerable negative impacts on both staff and customers alike. That said, the bank's continued commitment to the Irish market is to be welcomed. Officals of the bank briefed my officials on this issue last week.

I understand that employee representatives have been kept informed and that it is hoped that the staff reductions can be achieved on a voluntary basis by agreement.

The Irish Government has no formal role in the commercial decisions of Ulster Bank, these are a matter for the Board and Management of the Bank and its parent company, RBS.

That said, I expect that Ulster Bank will do everything that it can to mitigate the impacts of these branch closures on local communities.  I also expect that the bank will ensure that customers are kept informed about developments and provided with the appropriate assistance to move branches, switch to other banks and avail of alternative means of accessing financial services. I am not aware of any request from the Financial Services Union to meet with me or my officials at this point in time.

The continued presence of a viable and active Ulster Bank in the Irish market will be important in fostering competition for banking services. It is vital that businesses and consumers have a range of banking options available when using financial services and accessing credit and that they continually assess their options to ensure that they are getting the best value and service possible.