Mary White (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Minister of State and commend Senator O'Toole on taking the initiative and publishing this Bill. Other speakers have probably spoken about the impact credit unions have had in Ireland. I refer, in particular, to the North of Ireland and the role the credit union in Derry played in the foundation of the SDLP. My uncle, Michael Canavan, was one of the founders of the credit union in Derry and of the SDLP. Derry in the late 1950s was a very barren, sparse and lonely city with a visceral feeling of desolation. The credit union gave the people confidence in that they could borrow money and were not isolated. I have also stated at the Joint Committee on Finance and the Public Service what the credit union movement has contributed in the South. Senators O'Toole and Quinn spoke about what it will contribute in the future.

I did not know the Minister of State would not support the Bill. However, we are here to take initiatives and to bring forward Bills. Regardless of whether there is agreement, it is good to have debate. Legislation should not be carved in stone and, as society and circumstances change, it should evolve.

I commend Senator O'Toole who makes a tremendous contribution as a Senator and representative of his organisation. Where does he see his Bill in the context of the all-island nature of the credit union movement? How would it affect members in the North?