Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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266. To ask the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the difficulty that the recent announcement by a bank (details supplied) that it is to exit the Irish market is causing for the staff of the bank; if he has ascertained if another bank is willing to absorb the small number of branch staff into its operation; the future prospects for the staff of the bank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21336/21]

Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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269. To ask the Minister for Finance if employees and jobs in a bank (details supplied) will be safeguarded should the bank be incorporated into another bank in consideration of the State’s position as a majority shareholder in that bank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21389/21]

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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275. To ask the Minister for Finance the actions his Department is taking in relation to staff at a bank (details supplied) being absorbed into another bank given that the State is a significant shareholder in the bank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21582/21]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 266, 269 and 275 together.

It is important to highlight that, as Minister for Finance, I have no role to play in negotiations between KBC Group and Bank of Ireland which could see the latter party acquiring substantially all of KBC’s Irish business. Nor do I have a role in approving any deal that may be agreed between the two parties.

Although the State has a 14% minority shareholding in Bank of Ireland, commercial transactions of this nature are the sole responsibility of the Board and management of the bank. The independence of the bank in this regard is protected by the Relationship Framework in place which is a legally binding document that cannot be changed unilaterally. This framework, was insisted upon by the European Commission to protect competition in the Irish market.

Notwithstanding this, whilst the management of staff affairs, including staffing levels, is entirely a matter for KBC and Bank of Ireland were they to acquire the business, I would expect both banks to be very sensitive in relation to the needs and rights of staff. This includes full compliance with TUPE regulations and honouring agreements with staff representative bodies. In addition, I would expect relevant parties to engage with staff representative bodies as appropriate.