The Department of Finance has received 36 written representations since the start of 2011 from customers of Irish Bank Resolution Corporation, formerly Anglo Irish Bank, or their representatives.

Minister for Finance Michael Noonan said most lobbying was done by phone and records of phone contacts were not generally kept. He said the department was also lobbied on behalf of customers by political and legal representatives.

The department does not get involved in individual cases, he said. “Where there appears to be a public interest issue, or where the circumstances appear to controvert the bank’s policy or practice the department may, while referring the client to the bank, raise the matter with the bank to assist in understanding the issues or to ensure that management at the bank is aware of particular or recurrent problems.”