Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his comprehensive reply. We all accept that we are in an unprecedented year, but it is a pity that we have got to this impasse. Unfortunately, from what the Minister of State is saying, the credit union members and their families will be the losers and the money they had planned and budgeted for will not be available to them.

Is there any possibility that a statutory instrument could be used to allow the AGMs to go ahead virtually? I accept that the Minister of State has got the legislation through the Seanad in very good time and he will get it through the Dáil as quickly as he can. However, that will not allow the AGMs to take place before Christmas. Can he introduce a statutory instrument, as he is progressing the legislation, to allow the AGMs to proceed? It is deeply disappointing for people in Clonmel not to receive these payments. I am making the case strongly for Clonmel but, as I said, credit unions in other towns will be experiencing the same difficulty. Is there any way to get around this impasse? I fully accept the Minister of State's bona fides in this matter and I acknowledge his efforts in progressing the legislation. In terms of legislative parameters, he has worked extremely quickly. However, the fact remains that, as things stand, this money will not be in circulation before Christmas. A statutory instrument might allow the AGMs to take place and the dividends and rebates to be put in people's pockets and in circulation to cover Christmas expenses.

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