Tipperary Independent TD Michael Lowry has responded to news that AIB intend to make 70 branches including 4 in Tipperary cashless by Oct 21st.
The TD says the banks are going to deal with the money making aspects of banking but leave customers to meet their full banking needs online or via the post office network.
The TD described it as blow to individuals and businesses and that it also created a grave security risk to late night business operators.
He also noted the impact for tourists when ATM machines are not available in towns such as Cashel.
Deputy Lowry noted the provision of additional services through the Post Office network as a positive move – he concluded by saying that unless the full range of services being withdrawn are provided immediately in Post offices the situation would be intolerable.
The Thurles Based TD who supported the government in the recent vote of Confidence did not make any demands on the Government or the Central Bank.
Tipperary Sinn Fein TD Martin Browne has also responding by criticising a lack of consultation especially in respect of vulnerable customers.
Deputy Browne also described it as a blow to the towns concerned saying it left them seeing their banking services chipped away.
He also welcomed the additional services by An Post but questioned the long term future of the banks physical presence and employment in the towns involved.
The Rural Independents group of TDs led by Mattie McGrath have blamed the government for allowing AIB to further downgrade banking services and called for the immediate recall of the Dáil.
Deputy McGrath said the move further hollows out rural communities, undermines social inclusion, and endangers vulnerable customers to the risks of online banking abuse.
Deputy McGrath called on the Minister for Finance to respond.
He noted that as a result of a state bailout the state owns 63.5% of AIB. The bank currently operates 170 branches and yesterday announced that 70 will become cashless by Oct 21st.
Deputy McGrath described the action as selfish when AIB is in a position to attract customers that must levy Ulster Bank and KBC Bank.
Cashel Councillor Declan Burgess has called on the Government to urgently step in to prevent this “anti business measure” saying it is not so long ago the banks were bailed out by the tax payer.
He described the decision as a direct attack on our most vulnerable in society, our local business community and indeed rural Ireland.
Government TD Jackie Cahill is the latest to respond to the AIB decision to make 70 of their branches cashless operations.
The Thurles based TD said it was very unfair on the more vulnerable members of our society.
He noted that people living in the northern part of the county would be impacted by the inclusion of Birr and Roscrea on the list in addition to Cahir, Cashel and Carrick on Suir.
Deputy Cahill says the action from AIB could be seen to add further weight to the view that retail banks in Ireland lack respect for their customers and staff.
The Thurles based TD said his focus would be on contacting the relevant stakeholders and working to ensure those impacted are not left behind and get the support they deserve and need.
Cahir based councillor Andy Moloney has called for the decision to be stalled as he outlined the lack of time to prepare, unreliable broadband in the region and the lack of easily available alternative services such as coin orders and night safes.
Cashel Chamber of commerce have cited the importance of night safes and cash for many businesses in the town but also for tourists to be able to access local currency and manage their spending. A petition launched by the chamber to ask AIB to reconsider the decision in respect of Cahir and Cashel has over 500 signatures as of 1pm today.
Cashel Chamber of Commerce launched a petition to save the banks in Cashel and Cahir from the change to cashless operations on it’s Facebook page – which has over 500 signatures so far.
