TOP bankers will be sacked and prevented from sitting on boards of any other companies if they fail to pass “assessments” on their ability early next year.

Gillian Bowler has today announced her intention to retire as chairman and a director of Irish Life & Permanent Group Holdings plc, following the appointed of a successor in the New Year.

Bernard Byrne, Group Financial and Commercial Director, ESB, has been appointed Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at AIB, it was announced today.

The Financial Regulator, Patrick Neary, has told an Oireachtas committee today that he plans to introduce tighter monitoring of the way Irish banks do business.