Michael Mullins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I join with Senators Norris and Coghlan in condemning the decision by the Bank of Ireland to increase interest rates on credit cards at this time of the year. It is most insensitive. As a lifelong customer of that bank, I am disgusted at this move. It is in sharp contrast to the announcement by the Minister, Deputy Bruton, of the introduction of a single portal by the end of 2013 for retail licences, as part of a plan to reduce the licensing burden by 33%, which is good news for small businesses.

Another issue of concern to me is that of undocumented migrants in Ireland. I welcome that this issue is being discussed today by the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality. There are approximately 30,000 undocumented migrants living in Ireland, including families and children. Despite that many of these people are working here and that their children are attending school here they are, like many of the undocumented Irish living in America, in limbo. The proposed earned regularisation scheme is to be welcomed. I ask the Leader to provide time in the new year for a debate on the undocumented living in Ireland and the earned regularisation scheme. This situation is unacceptable at this time, with many families separated from loved ones abroad, as is the case for Irish people living in the United States who cannot come home because of their undocumented status. I ask that the Leader schedule a debate on this issue in the new year.