O’Keeffe criticises ‘greedy’ banks

BANKS have been accused by a senior Government minister of being arrogant and greedy and showing little regard for taxpayers.

Enterprise Minister Batt O’Keeffe hit out at the country’s banks yesterday, saying it is not acceptable that “lip service” be paid to Government regarding the demand for banks to lend to viable businesses.

He said now is the time for banks to show gratitude to Irish taxpayers for the “massive sacrifices” they have made in putting Ireland on the road to economic recovery after the “arrogance, greed and reckless irresponsibility of our bankers that brought the country to her knees.”