Jim D'Arcy (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In common with all previous speakers I find reprehensible illegal moneylending and the pressure it puts on people. Similarly, what are called payday loans put people into terrible situations and whatever can be done to deal with this should be done. Senator MacSharry is a thoughtful politician all the time who presents his politics in a thoughtful way most of the time. However, he has brought this matter to Members' attention. In this context, I note that a young writer approached Mark Twain with his new novel and asked the author what he thought of it. Mark Twain replied he had read it all before and when the writer protested that he could not have done so because he had just written it, Twain repeated that he had read it before. When the writer asked where he had read it previously, Mark Twain replied, "In the dictionary". It was words.

As Senator Cummins has noted, Members have been informed that thankfully, all of the contents of this Bill already are on the Statute Book. Consequently, what is needed is enforcement and proper attention paid to the issue in order that people do not get into such terrible situations. Finally, I encourage anyone who is in difficulties to contact the Money Advice and Budgeting Service, MABS, and have his or her situation sorted out by that service. While it is not perfect for every situation, it is of great help.