I must point out to the Deputy that the Banks’ policies in relation to operational issues are a matter for the management and boards of the institutions. The Minister for Finance has no role in the day-to-day commercial and operational decisions of the banks, which includes this matter. These decisions are taken by the boards and management of the relevant institutions. Notwithstanding the fact that the State is a shareholder in the institutions, the Minister must ensure that the banks are run on a commercial, cost effective and independent basis to ensure the value of the banks as assets to the State, as per the Memorandum on Economic and Financial Policies agreed with the EU Commission, the ECB and the IMF.
Relationship Framework agreements have been specified that define the nature of the relationship between the Minister for Finance and the banks. This Frameworks were published on 30 March 2012 and can be found at: http://banking.finance.gov.ie/presentations-and-latest-documents/.