DONEGAL TD Joe McHugh has challenged Ulster Bank to publish their profits on two branches it wants to close in the county.
Minister McHugh was speaking this evening after attending meetings in Raphoe and Ardara held in protest at the bank’s planned closures of branches in the towns.
Staff at the banks have been told that Raphoe will close this June with Ardara ear-marked for closure in September.
Minister McHugh has also been informed that up to five staff will be made redundant at the Letterkenny branch of Ulster Bank as part of the process.
He is due to meet representatives of the Ulster Bank on Wednesday to ask for the decisions to be reversed.
“I am told that the closures are because of lack of customer interaction and that just 30 people per day have been using the banks,” said Minister McHugh.
“Over the space of an hour in Raphoe this afternoon (Monday) it was clear how vibrant the branch is with many customers using the service there.
“Ulster Bank actively canvassed people in Raphoe and the surrounding areas to move their accounts to them after the closure of previous banks in the area.
“People feel badly let down by the bank because they know there are thousands of accounts held at the Raphoe branch and the branch is very profitable.
“It is an important branch for local businesses and in particular the farming community. There is a great deal of anger locally and I have to say it is justified.”
Minister McHugh also met community leader Stephen McCahill in Ardara.
“Ardara has put itself on the world stage in terms of its tourism offering and it’s important every effort is made to retain the Ulster Bank branch there,” said McHugh.
“I will raise the concerns of both communities at my meeting with the Ulster Bank officials on Wednesday.
“I know we have to be realistic but we also have to make it clear that the people of Ardara and Raphoe cannot be left without vital financial services.”
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