Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Go raibh míle maith agat, a Chathaoirligh. Gabhaim buíochas leis na finnéithe as ucht an cur i láthair. Tá brón orm go bhfuil mé beagáinín déanach.

This is a really interesting and important new sector. It is good because it democratises the ability for people to loan money. Also, shocking though it is, there are people who are investing in property again in order to provide for their future. Crowdfunding offers a mechanism for investing in a productive element of the market.

I have a few questions. What is the typical length of loans? Is there an average duration for a loan, in the witnesses' experience? With regard to accessibility for SMEs, is the knowledge level on the sector high among SMEs or businesses? Mr. O'Mahony mentioned a lot of figures. Does he have comparative figures on the volume of such loans in, for example, the United States? Mr. O'Mahony mentioned the level of default. How has the amount of default grown? Is it a level growth? Is it a continuous growth? Have there been peaks over the past number of years?

Interest rates provide equilibrium in terms of demand versus supply. Is there enough supply, in his experience? What is his view on the regulation of the sector? What are the barriers to growth, in his experience?