Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

-----in regard to this financial institution.

Senator MacSharry called for a debate on moneylending and highlighted that moneylenders are demanding from people who have been made unemployed and who cannot make their repayments up to 150% APR. This is a serious issue. When we have a financial debate in this House we should seek unanimity in support of a proposal to park for up to 12 months the repayment of debts by people who have a good payment record but cannot make their repayments. I refer to those who are not fly by night people and who have been making their repayments with banking institutions for five, ten and up to 20 years. We have had 12 or 14 magnificent years of growth and deferring such repayment for one year would not, as the one-liner goes, break the bank. It is time we as legislators started to act by making such a proposal. I thank Senator Wilson for bringing this matter to the attention of the House. We hear of such cases in our clinics. Senator Wilson represents an area that neighbours my area. Heavy-handed tactics have started to be enforced on people who, up to now, have had a good record in making their repayments. Some of these people have been captains of small and medium-sized industries across the country. I will give this matter my urgent attention and will invite the Minister to the House to deal with it as a matter of urgency.