Kerry TD Brendan Griffin has said AIB has shown despicable disregard for its customers by announcing it is withdrawing cash services from 70 branches nationwide.
He has called for an emergency meeting of the Fine Gael parliamentary party to discuss a response to resolve the matter.
Five of the branches where the changes will take place are in Kerry with Kenmare, Caherciveen, Dingle, Castleisland and Killorglin all affected.
Deputy Griffin also said any notion that bankers’ pay caps would be lifted should be unequivocally buried and proposed reducing the current pay cap further and increasing tax on AIB bankers’ bonuses in response to AIB’s actions.
He has also suggested to the Minister for Finance he consider a stiff banking levy on profits of banks who withdraw services responsive to the needs of the rural economy.
“AIB have hit us hard so I’ve no qualms about hitting them back harder,” he said.
Meanwhile, in a statement, the Kerry Mental Health Association said the mental wellbeing of people in rural parts of Kerry has been tested enough over the past two years without banks adding more stress by going cashless in five towns in the county.
The organisation said it is concerned that AIB’s decision may lead to a rise in crime, exacerbate rural isolation and put more pressure on the already stretched mental health services.
General Manager John Drummey said Kerry Mental Health Association supports people with mental health challenges, their families and carers in Kerry and provides accommodation for people with mental health challenges.
The charity is backing community and business groups in their calls for AIB to reverse the decision and for the government to intervene.
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