Róisín Shortall
Question:399. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance the status of the Retail Banking Review; the timeline for the publication of this review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41183/22]
View answerTuesday, 26 July 2022
Questions (399, 455)
Brendan Smith
Question:455. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance the timeline for the publication of the Report of the Banking Review; if he will give a clear message to all stakeholders, particularly the financial institutions, that decisions impacting on the availability of banking services should not be made pending the completion of this review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41921/22]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 399 and 455 together.
On 23rd November last, I published the Terms of Reference for a broad-ranging review of the retail banking sector in Ireland. The Review is being conducted by officials in my Department with assistance from other relevant Government agencies and Departments. Officials are due to present their draft report to me in November.
As part of the Review, stakeholders, including members of the public, were invited to make submissions to the Department on issues that fall within the Terms of Reference. These submission were by way of a public consultation which was launched at the Retail Banking Review dialogue in Tullamore on 16th May. The dialogue was attended by over 100 delegates representing a wide range of organisations, including the retail banks, non-banks, fintech, trade unions, government agencies and departments, the Central Bank, Credit Unions, An Post, the legal and accountancy professions, and the community and voluntary sector. This dialogue provided delegates with a forum to participate in an open and inclusive exchange again on the Terms of Reference.
The public consultation process concluded on 8th July. The review team are currently reading the 90-plus submissions received.
Another important component of the Review is the consumer-focused survey which was completed by Behaviour and Attitudes on behalf of the Department. The purpose of this survey was to ascertain consumers’ experience and perceptions of the banking sector in Ireland. The key messages identified in the survey, which is available on the Department's website, are being considered by the Review team as it progresses with its work.
As the Review is currently underway and the Report will be delivered to me in November, I am not going to prejudge the recommendations and actions that the Retail Banking Review Team will make.
However, I would expect that financial institutions, considering decisions concerning issues within the Review's Terms of Reference, will take into account the potential for policy and legislative changes by Government following the publication of the Review.
Question No. 400 answered with Question No. 385.