Finance Minister Caoimhe Archibald has been asked to lobby banks to stay in rural areas, such as Fermanagh.

In a Stormont question, Democratic Unionist MLA Deborah Erskine asked Dr. Archibald to outline the outcome of a meeting with local banks a number of months ago. 

The meeting followed the closure of a number of rural bank branches, including Lisnaskea, which closed its doors in March. 

In response, Dr. Archibald said: "I have been deeply concerned about the impact of branch closures for some time, which is why I called senior representatives from the local banks to attend a round-table meeting with me.

"I used that meeting to urge them to protect our local branch network and maintain access to cash and banking services, particularly for those in rural communities and vulnerable customers."

The Minister added that a further meeting with banks will be held in Autumn. 

In response, Mrs. Erskine asked: "Are there any measures that the Minister can take to make sure that the decisions are rural-proofed? 

"This is corporate decision-making, and, ultimately, we are only asking and urging. What can the Minister do about that?"

Minister Archibald replied: "As the Member will know, neither my Department nor the Assembly has any legislative authority in banking and finance, so the role that my Department can play in directly influencing the decisions of local banks, which, as she rightly said, are largely commercial, is somewhat limited.

"I am deeply concerned about the impact that bank branch closures, which have been considerable over the past couple of years, have on our towns, villages and rural communities. 

"I am therefore keen to use whatever influence I can, as Finance Minister, with the banks and the powers in London to press them to protect branches and services here."