Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)

Today's edition of the Irish Examiner carries a worrying article about the growth in illegal moneylending. It refers to exorbitant interest rates and intimidation imposed on those who avail of this service. This raises two questions which the Government needs to answer. First, does it intend to introduce legislation to strengthen its hand in dealing with this illegal practice? Second, does it intend to revisit the area of banking by introducing a legislative proposal to ensure banks start lending again? The House has discussed this issue on many occasions.

See this speech in context