Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party) | Oireachtas source

In response to Mr. Johnson, we have a very comprehensive Oireachtas Library & Research Service document on this issue. One of the useful pieces of information is that 3.2 million people are members of credit unions. I take it that figure is for the island as a whole but, obviously, the large majority would be in this State. When Mr. Johnson heard that the President was elected with 1 million votes last year, was he tempted to throw his name in the ring? I would say he would be a certainty. Has the league made any effort to inform and advise the wider membership about these crucial issues under discussion today? What role is there for the involvement of those members in respect of volunteerism, the encouragement of ordinary people to become involved, their ability to become involved and the pressure they can bring to bear on this issue, assuming pressure is needed?

I hope, following Deputy Spring's intervention, that he will deliver the majority and there will be no problem in the Chamber.

Mr. Brennan directed much of his attention, quite rightly, to the issues which are problematic and which would be to the detriment of the credit union movement. Some of us have taken these very seriously. Will Mr. Brennan outline three or four changes, if there are any, in the huge document we have which he thinks would be positive or would assist and improve the operations of the credit union? This might be useful.

By their nature credit unions are for the ordinary people - low and middle income workers and pensioners. One will not have tax exiles queueing outside the door and people do not borrow for extravagant purchases. I know this is slightly off the legislation, but in view of the report made some time ago on the fact that a huge cohort of people have less than €100 a month in disposable income, what problems are being experienced at present in the running of credit unions with regard to repayments? Will Mr. Brennan give a general answer? How does this reflect measures that could be put in the legislation?

I take it Mr. Edwards is based in the United States even though he is a world advocacy representative. Coming from the home of possibly one of the most aggressive forms of capitalism to which the credit union movement tries to be an antidote, apart from the intervention he made earlier on the legislation and the fact we are legislating anew, are there any points he could usefully contribute to our debate?