Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I learned overnight that Galway Airport has been purchased by Galway City Council and Galway County Council. While there may be much merit in that, I am glad that some firm decisions have been made. I would like to know the plans for the airport and I request the Leader to ask the Minister, Deputy Varadkar, to come into the House to outline them. If it is being funded by Galway City Council and Galway County Council, the State has still quite a role in it.

I support Senator Feargal Quinn's comment on advancing the debate and a move for reform of this House. It does not mean that, simply because the Taoiseach was in this Chamber more than a week ago, it is all sorted. The Leader might update us on what are the Taoiseach's plans around the timeframe for reform. I am conscious that no commitment has yet been given to universal suffrage, a universal vote for the election of Members to this House. That is an important point. I support Senator Quinn on it.

I request that we have a debate on moneylending. I was horrified to read today that interest rates of up to 200% per annum can be charged by moneylenders. What is the Cental Bank doing about this? We have a personal debt crisis in this country when people were lent money at ordinary rates but imagine people having to rely on moneylenders. I want the Central Bank and Professor Honohan to take a far more proactive role in this area. This is outrageous. It would be helpful if the Minister for Finance led on this to ensure that Professor Honohan is brought before the finance committee in that respect. We need to regulate moneylenders to ensure that the poor unfortunate people who rely on them are not strung out any more.