John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)

That is unbelievable. I urge the Minister of State, Deputy Fergus O'Dowd, to consider the pressure exerted on some people by moneylenders who are forcing those to whom I refer to go to their local post offices and withdraw their children's allowance to pay the money they owe. People are also being harassed outside their children's schools and when they go shopping in supermarkets by thugs who can afford to drive around in cars with 2010, 2011 and 2012 registrations as a result of the vast profits they are making from moneylending. As Deputy Jonathan O'Brien stated, we have not prosecuted one illegal moneylender. That is a shameful response on the part of society, legislators and the Garda.

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