Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party)
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58. To ask the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to an ongoing issue which businesses are facing with regard to banking charges for direct debits that are failing due to customers of the business either cancelling or not having sufficient money to pay them (details supplied). [8566/20]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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Covid 19 has presented unprecedented difficulties for consumers and businesses alike. The Central Bank expects that all regulated firms take a consumer-focused approach and act in their customers’ best interests at all times. Both the Central Bank and I encourage firms to take all possible measures to assist their customers during this difficult time and to help their customers to the greatest extent possible while they work through this public health emergency. It should be noted that the charging of fees is a commercial decision for regulated entities, within the parameters of the regulatory framework.  I have no statutory role in relation to the charges applied by credit institutions. Under Section 149 of the Consumer Credit Act 1995, as amended, the responsibility for the regulation of bank fees lies with the Central Bank of Ireland.