Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Senator Brian Hayes referred to the retail banks. He referred in particular to the level of indebtedness in this country. He alleged that the banks are apparently increasing their customers' credit limits — the amount of money they can aspire to borrow — without informing them. Given the way the world is nowadays, if one knows one can go further — in banking terms — one will go further. One would think this is a matter that the Financial Regulator should examine. I suggest that would be a very good move.

Senator Brian Hayes also referred to the Judicial Appointments Advisory Board, or JAAB as it is unaffectionately known. The board has recommended that each person who is appointed or is deemed to be appointed to the Judiciary should undergo a medical test so that he or she can be deemed to be sound in wind and limb. When one considers the precariousness of health and various matters, I suppose a person could be deemed to be sound in wind and limb today and then pass away tomorrow. The Senator asked me to discover whether the Government will adopt that recommendation as a policy. I will make an inquiry in that regard.

Senator O'Toole argued that the problem to which Senator Brian Hayes referred could be addressed by limiting the number of credit cards that are issued because such a limit would impose its own strictures. It might not be quite fair for us to think that such a limit would be acceptable as long as we continue to have our credit cards. The problem is that debts can be allowed to reach quite high levels without being called in. I have always been amazed that banks which are happy to give so freely become so punitive when they are trying to get their money back. Senator O'Toole also said that credit cards are anti-competitive.

Senator O'Toole also said he hopes that the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment raised the issue of human rights in China on his visit to that country. If anybody would raise that issue, it would be the Minister, Deputy Martin. The Senator argued that we should distance ourselves from the use of members of the Falun Gong movement for live organ donations and experimentation.

Senator Tuffy suggested that we should reconsider the need for a height restriction when women and men are joining the Army, particularly if we are to attract people from diverse backgrounds. It is possible that the average height of such people might be less than the average height of people here because they do not have similarly nutritious lifestyles.