Whistleblower and Charlie Bird doing the bank regulator’s job

IN a previous incarnation, I worked briefly with AIB’s managing director in Ireland, Donal Forde. He’s the man who has been taking the public flak over the latest AIB fiasco, the accidental ripping-off of their foreign exchange customers.

In my experience of Forde, he was entirely honest and straightforward, indeed a very customer-focused businessman. I've no doubt whatsoever he was shocked to discover what his own bank had been up to, and determined to make amends.

I also worked with Dermot Gleeson, now chairman of AIB, when he was Attorney General, and I don't believe anyone could raise a question about his integrity.