Michael Mullins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I want to extend the good wishes of the House to Fr. Pat O'Brien, the parish priest of Caherlistrane in County Galway, who had a horrific experience over the weekend when his home was broken into and trashed, while he was tied up. Those who broke in were looking for cash or gold to pay significant drug debts. This raises the issues of the size of the drug trade, the resources available to track down these unscrupulous people and the operation of the cash for gold shops. A major question mark hangs over these shops as they make it easy for the unscrupulous to offload stolen goods. I would like the Leader to arrange a debate on that with the Minister for Justice and Equality.

I would also like to raise the issue of illegal moneylenders. They are operating with impunity throughout the country, using intimidation and threatening behaviour. Many are involved in criminality and they are abusing vulnerable people and charging exorbitant rates of interest. There have been no prosecutions for this illegal activity to date. We must strengthen enforcement by the Garda, the Criminal Assets Bureau and the Department of Social Protection. This House should promote the credit unions as the appropriate lending agency for small borrowers. It seems ludicrous these people can prey on vulnerable people with impunity.