Marie Moloney (Labour)

I welcome the announcement by Permanent TSB to reduce its variable mortgage interest rate by 0.5%. There is still a big gap between it and the other State-owned banks but it is a step in the right direction and I am sure mortgage holders will welcome it.

I refer to the cycle to work scheme, which is a very good scheme and is being very much availed of. However, it has come to my attention that many employers are not co-operating with employees and allowing them to avail of this scheme. Will the Leader speak to the Minister for Finance or ask him to come to the House so that we can debate the issue and put suggestions to him, such as a tax credit for people so that they would not have to go through their employer? It is grossly unfair on employees who cannot avail of the scheme while their friends and colleagues in other businesses are able to. Will the Leader ask the Minister for Finance about that issue?