Ms Anne Marie McKiernan:

One of the issues there relates to the opportunities for a credit union to invest its surplus investment assets. As I mentioned in my opening statement and as we have previously stated publicly, the registry intends to consult with the sector regarding changes in the available asset classes in which credit unions can invest. That will include reference to investments in projects relating to social housing, but it will not be restricted only to that. It will also cover potential additional investment classes. It will be mindful of the requirements of the Credit Union Act 1997, which states that their primary business is lending other peoples' money and that they need to exercise prudence in how they invest their surplus funds to ensure they do not unduly endanger those funds. It will be proposing or facilitating changes in the investment framework but within the appropriate overall context.