As speculation mounts of a further ECB base rate cut on Thursday of this week, the majority of banks with mortgage customers in Ireland have disgracefully refused to pass on last month’s 0.25% interest rate reduction to their standard rate customers, according to Fianna Fáil Finance Spokesperson Michael McGrath.

Deputy McGrath stated: "In announcing the ECB rate cut last month, the bank’s President Mario Draghi cited weak economic growth in the euro and risks surrounding the economic outlook remaining on the downside as reasons behind the historic decision to reduce the rate to 0.75%. The import of Mr. Draghi’s comments was clear – the ECB rate reduction was intended to be passed on to customers and, as a consequence, to give a boost to the eurozone economy.

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"The most effective boost to the Irish economy at the present would be if hard-pressed mortgage holders had more money in their pocket to spend in the domestic economy.

"Of the State-owned banks, AIB, Bank of Ireland, EBS (which continues to operate as a separate brand within the AIB group) and IBRC (which incorporates the former Irish Nationwide Building Society) all refused to pass on the rate cut. Indeed, AIB actually put their rate up by 0.5%. The only State-owned institution to pass on the rate cut (and an additional 10 basis points) was Permanent TSB which it must be said was coming from a very high SVR base.

"The silence from Government on the failure of the State-owned banks to pass on the rate cut to mortgage-holders has been deafening. At a time when variable rate customers expect their Government to act in their interests, Ministers have sided with the banks. The Government has essentially stood over a situation where variable rate customers have been thrown to the wolves by the banks and will presumably allow this to happen all over again if the ECB does decide to further reduce its rate on Thursday."

(CD/GK)