Ulster Bank difficulties - Automation leaves people in the dark

In recent years people have been encouraged to do their banking electronically.

Banks have been making it difficult for customers to interact with staff by forcing customers to wait in growing queues.

The push towards electronic banking has been justified on the grounds that it is cheaper and more efficient, but that efficiency has come into serious question over the difficulty experienced by customers at Ulster Bank during recent days. It was the first time something of this magnitude has happened in this country, but it should act as a timely warning of similar things likely to happen elsewhere as we become more dependent on computers.