The Finance Minister admits Irish banks haven't been fully passing on ECB savings to their customers.

AIB and EBS have today increased interest rates to 2 per cent for some saving accounts.

However, it has been described as a tokenistic gesture - as the rate only applies to the first 1 thousand euro per month for 12 months, and banks continue to hold on to savings made through changes to European banking rules.

Minister Michael McGrath accepts it's a difficult climate for customers...