Vol. 564 No. 5
39 Ms Lynch asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the call made by the Consumers Association of Ireland for a new strategic review of Irish banking to be carried out by his Department and the Central Bank; his views on this call; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9721/03]
I have not been approached by the Consumers Association of Ireland on this issue. I draw the Deputy's attention to the strategic review of the Irish banking sector that has already been undertaken by a working group of officials from the Department of Finance and the Central Bank. The working group reported in 2000 in the strategic issues facing the Irish banking sector over the next decade. The group made a number of recommendations for the improvement of the banking sector. Many of these recommendations have already been acted upon in the Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Bill 2002 and others will be dealt with in a second Bill that I intend to publish this year and on which there has already been an extensive public consultation process.
I also draw the Deputy's attention a study of competition issues in the banking sector that is being undertaken by the Competition Authority. In addition, the consumer director of IFSRA will have a mandate to consider and report on a wide range of consumer issues. In all the circumstances, I have no plans for a new strategy review of banking.
