Feargal Quinn (Independent)

I was pleased that Senators Brian Hayes and O'Toole referred to credit cards. On Friday last, I raised the same matter in connection with SSIAs. My concern was that we should advise people whose SSIAs are maturing to reduce their credit card debts because of the very high rates of interest charged. After I had spoken, I consulted the Financial Times and discovered that the EU had put a number of questions to MasterCard that must be answered within three or six months. The questions to which I refer were similar to those put to Visa a few months ago. In other words, the suggestion of a cartel to which Senator O'Toole referred is very high on the agenda of the European Union.

I was particularly impressed recently by advertisements relating to saving water, some of which are very bright and attractive. They remind us of the benefits of water conservation. I visited France recently, however, and I discovered that, under the system that is in place there, every time one turns on a hot tap, hot water is immediately forthcoming. When one turns on a hot tap here, one must wait two or three minutes before the water becomes hot. I am sure there is an easy, technical solution. Perhaps the French water system is different to that which obtains here. I suggest that we draw the attention of those involved in water conservation at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and wherever else to remind ourselves that we can use technology to reduce the very heavy costs of lost water and energy transmission.