Marc MacSharry (Fianna Fail)

Last weekend, the Irish League of Credit Unions, ILCU, had its annual conference, at which it moved a motion that it intends to discuss with the Government and that I have often raised in the House, namely, to limit the interest rate chargeable by licensed moneylenders. As Members will be aware, there are licensed moneylenders who are charging 187% APR in this jurisdiction or as high as 2,500% in other jurisdictions. A rate of 30% would be more than adequate and we should begin to consider the matter.

I wholeheartedly agree with my colleague, Senator O'Toole, in his call for a debate on politics. A friend recently told me that, given the era in which we are and the media's seemingly frenzied rush to attack all things connected with the body politic, it reminds one of post-revolution France where everyone with clean clothes was lined up for the guillotine. It is a dangerous time where, above all else, real leadership is required.

In this context, I agree with Senator Quinn and others, in that I hope the Taoiseach and the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform have sent for the Garda Commissioner this morning. What we heard yesterday was reprehensible. Such words from gardaí were disgraceful. There is no question but that we are in difficult times in terms of industrial relations and pay levels. As Senator O'Toole highlighted, even Members of this House have been unjustly treated in terms of the abolition of increments, something that no other section of the public service has endured. We are all conscious of these difficult times.

Notwithstanding that, James Connolly would not be proud of the theme of the current work to rule. This morning when representations I made during the past three months were responded to, I was told that they could not be dealt with because of the work to rule. However, the people in question will take their salaries in the meantime. That is wrong. A pay agreement has been proposed and I ask the trade union movement to hurry up and make a decision so we can move forward. Partnership is the only way to move forward. At least there is a bit of honour in walking up and down outside on strike, but taking the money without dealing with the legitimate concerns and representations of the public on critical issues such as health and social welfare is equally as reprehensible as the words of the gardaí yesterday. I hope the appropriate action will be taken and the appropriate leadership given.