I thank the Minister of State for taking the motion, which refers to a relevant and prevalent issue concerning the Mizen peninsula. Our former, long-established colleague, P.J. Sheehan, was in these Houses for almost 30 years, representing Goleen and the Mizen peninsula. If he were still in the other House, there is no doubt that this branch in Schull or Ballydehob would not be closed, but sin scéal eile. The peninsula is very remote. Normally, it has a population of approximately 5,500 souls. As a result of tourism in the summer, particularly because of the sailing centre in Schull, it swells to probably double that figure.
To add salt to the wounds, not only has AIB decreed that the branch in Schull is to close, but the branch in the neighbouring village of Ballydehob is to close as well. Some people living in remote parts of the Mizen must travel by car for one hour to get to the nearest town of Skibbereen, where AIB proposes to relocate its business.
This is very unfair.
It is also worth noting that a survey on the demographics of the Mizen Peninsula undertaken by the HSE shows that the region has one of the highest number of people aged over 60. This decision will damage the status of the peninsula and of Schull in particular, which is a tourist hub and is famous for its fishing, its connection with Cape Clear and the Fastnet lighthouse, and its successful sailing college. This decision is a kick and blow to the small businesses in that area, the shops and restaurants, the pubs and those involved in farming. At a recent meeting in Schull, about 500 people from all parts of the peninsula begged AIB to keep its Schull branch open. I know these are difficult times but the proposal by AIB to provide a mobile banking service is a very weak alternative and a poor substitute. In my view, the provision of a mobile banking service is a security risk. A cost-benefit analysis on the retention of the Schull branch as opposed to the cost of security and staff for a mobile unit would show there is not a lot to say. In these circumstances I can see that it was probably commercially correct that the Ballydehob branch should go - although not everyone would agree with me - because it was only just ticking over. However, I plead with the Minister of State to consider putting as much pressure as possible on AIB to have Schull retained for five days a week, at least in the summer months when it is a very busy branch, and this could be reduced to three days in the winter months. Dublin and other major urban centres have buses, Luas, DART and a good taxi service, but many people in the Mizen have none of these transport options. The younger generation know all about online banking but many people over 55 - this is probably the case throughout the country and not just in west Cork - are not in a position to avail of online banking. The Mizen peninsula is a remote rural area without any banking facilities. I is almost 40 miles in length and to leave it without banking facilities is an awful blow to the communities who live there, especially the people in farming, fishing, tourism, small businesses, pubs and restaurants. I am pleading with the Minister of State to reconsider the position and at least to ask the bank to look at Schull in particular where the branch service could be retained full-time during the summer months and three days a week in the winter. We have lost two Garda stations and at a recent meeting of the group which monitors crime in the peninsula, it was noted there had been an increase of break-ins and crime in the peninsula, which in the view of the community is as a result of the loss of the Garda services. The loss of the banking service will entice people to keep money at home and will put out a welcome sign to the criminal gangs of Cork and beyond who would love to come and harass old people and take their life savings.
