Feargal Quinn (Independent)

I second Senator Norris' call for a debate, even if it just one hour long, on the election in the Seanad. It appears Senator Buttimer and others have points to make and it would be worthwhile to have a one-hour debate.

I also add my word to the expressions of support on the release of Fr. Michael Sinnott. There is little doubt the lack of hatred and venom and the pure Christian spirit in his words are such that it is a reminder to all of us of what he is doing in the Philippines and the work he is undertaking there.

Yesterday, a judge in the United States issued instructions to both Visa and MasterCard to refund those who had been overcharged because of their excessive charges in recent years. I am mentioning this because a substantial sum of money is to be issued. The same decision was made in Europe last year, but it only applied to cross-border transactions. While other credit cards are also involved, Visa and MasterCard in particular have been found to be making excessive charges. Every consumer who has used a credit card has had to pay that extra cost to retailers. It is now in the hands of each of the 27 EU member states to change the law so that we can have the same situation, which would mean a reduction in the cost of using credit cards. We should do that, but it is up to each individual state to do so. I urge the Leader to contact the Minister for Finance to put it high on the agenda.