Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Michael McGrath's question relates to one of our key concerns about the Bill. We are at the final stage of the debate on it. I want to commend the Minister for Finance, Deputy Michael Noonan, for the way he has engaged with the Opposition on the legislation from the start. I also commend the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, who was involved in part of the discussion on Committee Stage. It is fair to say that at all stages of the legislative process the Minister listened to the concerns of the Opposition about the effect the legislation might have on the credit union movement and all parts of the sector, especially smaller credit unions. I am glad that he introduced amendments in the Seanad after listening to us. Almost 180 amendments are being presented in the House today. It is clear that Sinn Féin would have liked further changes to be made to the Bill and we continue to have concerns about some aspects of it. We will stay in touch with the credit union movement at national and local level and I hope we will not have to return to the issue, but we will do so, if necessary. I am satisfied with the engagement that has happened. It is an example of the true engagement we should have when we are dealing with legislation. I do not want to hark back to what happened earlier other than to say that was not the way to deal with legislation. In fairness to the Minister, he commended me and other Members of the House for introducing practical suggestions. It is clear from the many amendments before the House that our concerns were listened to and I hope we will continue to see that spirit in 2013. I welcome that engagement. I do not have a concern about the group of amendments before the House.

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