Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Gould for raising this matter. I engage with the credit union movement regularly and since this terrible disease arrived on our shores, I have made a point of meeting the leaders of the main credit union organisations. I assure the Deputy that I will ask them to continue to be aware of the vulnerability of some of their customers and members at this difficult time and of the importance of treating them appropriately so that they can avoid having to resort to illegal moneylenders. I am also considering legislation to provide for the capping of interest rates for short-term loans. Having engaged with the credit unions and their leaders, I know that they are very much aware of the issue to which the Deputy refers. They are also aware of their duties to their vulnerable members. If the Deputy has any examples of specific changes he believes could be made, I would be very happy to hear about them and to respond.

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