It stated that the growth of cashless shops would have freed up the branches in query for providers akin to opening new accounts, mortgages, loans, and monetary planning.

Nevertheless, amid widespread public and political backlash, the financial institution then reversed its resolution on Friday.

Within the wake of the preliminary announcement, Taoiseach Micheál Martin urged AIB to “rethink” its place, and Fianna Fáil junior Minister Seán said that the Authorities had been “completely blindsided” by the transfer.

Mr Fleming additionally stated there was no alternative prematurely of the announcement to debate the difficulty with the financial institution and that Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe had solely came upon within the hours earlier than the information first broke.

Nevertheless, in accordance with a report within the Irish Impartial, Division of Finance officers had been made conscious of the AIB’s cashless plans 4 working days earlier than they had been introduced publicly by the financial institution.

This morning, Sinn Fein’s finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty known as on Mr Donohoe to make clear the timeline of occasions.

“Yesterday we had been instructed the minister was blindsided by AIB’s resolution to take away banking providers from communities throughout the State,” he stated.

Right now we discover out that the Division knew concerning the resolution 4 days earlier than it was introduced. Why did he not oppose the transfer?

Mr Doherty stated that the connection framework between AIB and the State was “clear.”

“If a choice by AIB is more likely to create clear and important reputational injury to the financial institution or the State, the financial institution must seek the advice of with or get the consent of the Finance Minister earlier than it’s taken,” he stated.

“If AIB is not clear on whether or not it wants Ministerial consent or to seek the advice of, it ought to search casual affirmation. If the Minister would not reply inside three days, AIB can proceed.

“It seems the Minister did not reply, permitting AIB to proceed. The Minister must make clear.”

Mr Doherty’s occasion colleague Mairéad Farrell instructed the Oireachtas Finance Committee ought to meet to debate the matter and set up “who knew what and when.”

“The Division of Finance knew about this resolution days earlier than it turned public and did nothing,” she stated.

“The federal government are majority shareholders in AIB and wish to say their function in guaranteeing banks serve communities.

“Regardless of the federal government’s assertion that they’re powerless on these issues, there’s a Relationship Framework in place, which permits for intervention.”

Ms Farrell additionally stated she had written to the opposite members of the committee requesting a gathering “directly.”