Ms Ann Nolan:

We would certainly encourage the credit union movement to develop appropriate extra loans, whether it is in the microfinance area or whatever. I know a pilot scheme is being run at the moment with the Department of Social Protection and that 25 or 30 credit unions are looking at microfinance for those people to whom the Chairman referred as being close to the moneylending area. If that works out it would be great, and we would also be encouraging the development of products in the social housing and other areas. I have spoken to the regulator about the importance of developing products in those areas.