Kathryn Reilly (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The exclusion of volunteers is an issue about which I feel strongly. I am happy to recognise some movement has been made and the prohibition has been narrowed down to voluntary assistants being on the board of their own credit union. However, there is no need for this prohibition to remain in the Bill. It will have a particularly severe impact on smaller credit unions which typically rely to a greater level on voluntary input. It is often viewed exclusively as a problem for small rural credit unions but it is equally an issue in urban areas where there are many small credit unions. The impact of these exclusions will be felt particularly by smaller credit unions as the pool of available volunteers is already quite small, as was detailed by other Senators on Second Stage. These exclusions will shrink the pool further.

Voluntary assistants help reduce the cost burden on credit unions as they provide their services at little or no cost. The use of board members as voluntary assistants provides a link between the board and the front line. Board members can see first-hand the practical impact of their decisions and can use experience of working on the coal face to generate ideas on how to improve services for members and the credit union generally. This consideration also applies to larger credit unions. The issue needs to be dealt with and it is the final hurdle in the section. The amendment is very important and I ask the Minister of State to support it now or on Report Stage.