Bank of Ireland has provoked angry reaction by increasing the interest rates it charges on its credit cards.
The bank has imposed increases of between 0.7 per cent and 4 per cent with effect from yesterday. Some credit cardholders will now be paying up to 19.9 per cent.
In the Dáil, Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams accused the banks of “cashing in and taking advantage of an already hard-pressed public”.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny said the Government was powerless to prevent the increase. While critical of the increases, he added: “This is not a case of where the Government regulates the interest rates that are applicable to credit cards.”
However he denied inaction by the government. “It’s not a case of saying the Government won’t do anything, it’s a case of saying if the regulator requires further facilities, the Government will respond to that.”