Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

With respect, when a scheme is designed to run over a six-year period to help a fellow with cashflow problems, why should the bank have the prerogative to reduce the length of the term? This was a scheme the Department brought in to give the opportunity for a six-year term for cashflow issues but the banks forced clients to take significantly shorter terms. The banks have done it and got away with it but I cannot understand why they were allowed to do so. If the farmer wanted a six-year term and the scheme allowed for that, why should the banks have the prerogative to force him to take a shorter term?