Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It would be the same requirement as for any commercial or personal loan. That did not apply up to now in this sector. The lenders will now have to meet the same consumer credit loan protections and regulations that apply to all other lenders authorised by the Central Bank. That was not the case up to now. This will include income and whether a person has the ability to repay the loan. It will always be the single biggest criterion. It is not just about historic payments, although such information will tell lenders if there are any outstanding loans to take into account. It is about the ability to repay the loan. That provision was not there previously.