Usual disclaimers apply of course. Make sure you know what you're getting for "FREE". For example I have an AIB Branch very near me when I'm in Waterford, but NIB would be a pain to get to.
When I'm in Dublin Tallaght is the nearest AIB branch and Terrenure is the nearest NIB branch. Even though I can be in the Tallaght branch in about 10 minutes it would take all day to get served (have you ever seen the queues in Tallaght AIB?). A drive to Terrenure would not be a problem.
Internet banking should take care of virtually all of my needs. I still need to lodge cheques, but that can be done by post (last time I checked).
I really don't think there's any good reason to pay €200 for internet banking.
It works on the assumption that businesses will just pay up. For a big business it's a handy service and moving bank is too much hassle, so businesses will pay up. For the small business who isn't getting much of a service from the local branch anyway, you might as well move.
-Rd