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Seanad
‹ Order of Business

AIB mortgage rate increase

Summary

Senators criticise the additional burden imposed on AIB mortgage holders and question the accountability of State-appointed bank directors; the Leader says committees could examine the matter.

I agree with Senator D'Arcy and our leader, Senator Darragh O'Brien, on the escalating difficulty that mortgage holders are facing. There are 70,000 mortgage holders who will later this month pay an additional €50 on their mortgage because they have a variable rate mortgage from AIB. This is a bank that is 100% owned by the taxpayer. Senator D'Arcy is correct that there are public interest directors in the bank and other financial institutions within the State. The question has to be asked as to what the hell they are doing. It is time they were held to account. If we are interested in reforming Seanad Éireann, we should start by having the public interest directors come before the House to explain to us what they are doing on behalf of the taxpayer.

It would be a step in the right direction if that could be facilitated.

Comment on this

Committees can deal with the issue.

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I know there are Oireachtas committees but every Member should be afforded the opportunity of considering that avenue.

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We can do that in committee.

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I am not talking about the committee. I am talking about the Seanad and asking them to come forward.

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There should be no duplication.

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The Minister for Finance has a responsibility as well.

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That does not apply.

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Denis O'Donovan An Leas-Chathaoirleach Fianna Fáil

Senator Ó Domhnaill should be allowed to speak without interruption.

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