The impending closure of AIB and Permanent tsb branches in Tipperary is hugely disappointing for the towns and communities involved and a major loss of service for users. AIB are due to close 67 branches nationwide with 5 of these branches located in Tipperary whilst Permanent tsb are due to close 3 of their Tipperary centres. The loss of these 8 branches in the Tipperary area as hugely regrettable and very frustrating for customers of the banks, the public generally and ultimately a very sad day for rural Ireland.

Tipperary branches are particularly badly affected by these closures with 5 branches set to close between this year and next year in AIB and three Permanent tsb branches to be lost. With regards to AIB the branches of Newport, Borrisokane, Clogheen and Killenaule will close in October next while the Templemore branch will close its doors in early 2013. Permanent tsb have also announced that Thurles, Roscrea and Tipperary Town will also lose their local branch office.

My primary concern is for the many local, loyal customers of the bank and for the staff working in these local branches. AIB and Permanent tsb customers in these areas will face a major disruption and will now be forced to travel to neighbouring towns should they wish to visit a branch. AIB have stated that they will now have a mobile facility visiting the towns affected but this is of little consolation. I have spoken to many residents in the areas affected and they feel particularly aggrieved by the decision to close these smaller branches. Rural dwellers now feel that they are being abandoned by the bank and that their local branches are being scapegoated in an effort to save some money.

Worryingly the closure of these branches marks the loss of yet another vital service from our rural towns and villages. The value of the services provided by these local banks cannot be underestimated. They are of the utmost importance for business and individuals in the town and are particularly useful for those who do not have the facilities to travel to larger towns. They are a focal point in our communities and a pivotal part of rural life. Branch banking still serves a role in rural towns and should not be dispensed of completely. Despite the increased use of internet banking customers still like and feel reassured by the physical presence of a branch in their area and feel reassured that they can go to their local town and speak to someone should something go wrong. Indeed many people do not use internet banking and rely on this local service.

I believe that it is essential that the employees in the affected branches receive every support and assistance in facilitating their move to other branches. This move will cause significant disruption to these individuals and their families and the banks involved must take active steps to ensure that this transfer is as smooth as possible and must try to minimise the disruption to the best of their ability.

I am disappointment that a 70% advance was not secured on the Single Farm Payment but I welcome the confirmation that farmers will receive an advance payment of 50% on the Single Farm Payment on October 16th of this year.

I think a number of farmers will be disappointed that the 70% target was not met. The poor weather that has transpired over the last number of months has dealt a severe blow to the income of farming families. In my own constituency I have met with countless farmers who are despairing over the poor weather conditions and the knock on impact this has had on income, work load and costs. Feed costs are set to rocket and farmers were quite simply desperate for some assistance or support.

The announcement from Brussels, that the Single Farm Payment will be advanced, is therefore welcome and will offer some reprieve and a little light at the end of the tunnel. Farmer’s whose SFP applications have been confirmed as fully clear can now look forward to this payment. That said I am still calling on Minister Coveney to continue to fight the case for Irish farmers and to seek a 70% payment as a matter of urgency. Minister Coveney must also ensure that this payment is in fact paid out on the set date as promised.

I am questioning the policy decision taken by NAMA in relation to the destruction of valuable assets during the demolition of ghost estates and apartment blocks. The policy, currently being adopted, of knocking ghost buildings with re-usable assets still inside totally illogical, wasteful and insensitive at what is a hugely difficult time for many people.

Whilst I agree that ghost estates, in many cases, need to be demolished for health and safety reasons I question the procedure and method involved. It beggars belief that valuable fixtures, fitting and materials are razed to the ground and lie mangled and unusable in piles in rubble. Valuable items such as roof tiles, windows, doors, fittings and bathroom fixtures were all laid to waste, where they could in fact have been reused or resold to the benefit of the state and individuals. The policy that has been assumed of indiscriminately destroying buildings without examining what items of value could be retrieved quite simply makes no sense.

I find it hugely frustrating that at one of the most difficult times in our economy these brand new, unused items are simply annihilated and thrown out as useless without any consideration. This is hugely angering for the public who are struggling to make ends meet and cannot understand the lack of thought by NAMA in this case. Many individuals, young couples, and families across Tipperary and the country are seeking to build or refurbish homes and are finding it prohibitively costly to do so. Here we have top quality, unused material that could be made available at a reduced cost to assist them.

At a time when the emphasis is on saving resources, recycling and being green this wastefulness is hugely distasteful and cannot be allowed to continue. Every avenue that could potentially return some money from these buildings should be fully investigated and advanced. Simply going in with a wrecking ball is not the solution. NAMA must be brought to account on this matter and made explain the rationale behind this move. The policy being adopted by NAMA must be rethought before any more potentially valuable assets are lost.