Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)

I move amendment No. 9:

In page 8, between lines 16 and 17, to insert the following:

“Prescribed minimum and maximum amounts

3. (1) Subject to subsections (2), (3) and (4), the Minister shall, for the purposes of the definition of “credit facility” in section 2, prescribe—

(a) a minimum amount, and

(b) a maximum amount.

(2) An amount prescribed under paragraph (a) of subsection (1) shall be not less than €1,000.

(3) An amount prescribed under paragraph (b) of subsection (1) shall be not greater than €5,000,000.

(4) In prescribing an amount under paragraph (a) or (b) of subsection (1), the Minister shall have regard to—

(a) the level of demand by borrowers for credit of amounts ranging between the amount proposed to be prescribed under paragraph (a) of subsection (1) and the amount proposed to be prescribed under paragraph (b) of subsection (1) and the extent to which such demand is being met,

(b) the importance to borrowers and the economy of the State of borrowers being able to obtain credit of amounts ranging between the amount proposed to be prescribed under paragraph (a) of subsection (1) and the amount proposed to be prescribed under paragraph (b) of subsection (1),

(c) the amounts of credit being provided to borrowers and any trends in the amounts so provided,

(d) the economic conditions prevailing in the market for provision of credit to borrowers, and

(e) the need to ensure the effective and efficient use of resources available to the Service.”.