Paul Lawless (Mayo, Aontú)

First Choice Credit Union has announced reduced opening hours at several credit unions across Mayo, namely those in Achill, Balla, Ballyhaunis, Swinford and Kiltimagh. This is the latest onslaught and the latest decline. Ballyhaunis and Kiltimagh, for example, recently lost two of their banks. The credit union is the last banking institution left in these towns. These were once thriving towns and the loss of the banks has resulted in a loss of economic activity. Ballyhaunis Chamber has launched a petition to save the credit union in its town and to ensure that the opening hours there are maintained. We have already lost two banks in Kiltimagh and Ballyhaunis under the Government's watch. Will the Minister sign the petition from Ballyhaunis Chamber? Will she intervene and protect the last banking institutions in these towns? These credit unions are crucially important in the context of keeping economic activity alive in the towns in question.

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