Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The example the Ceann Comhairle has given is perfect. Seven or eight months before I was elected to this House, when I was a teacher and a county councillor, I went down to the INTO credit union, of which most teachers are a member, to raise a loan to improve the family car. I could not get one, despite having a good income. I have no qualms about saying that I had two incomes. I worked damned hard but I had to go to the bank of mom and dad in my late thirties to get a car and set up a standing order to pay mom and dad back. It is bonkers. It is absolutely bonkers. Shame on the people who took backhanders in this House previously, for political gain or for other reasons but most people who come through this House come in here for good reasons. We really need to look at this issue. I am sorry I digressed a bit but it is a point that should have been made a long time ago. It is often mentioned over coffee breaks but never really gets mentioned in the Chamber.

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