Michael Mullins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I support Senator Bacik's call for a debate on Irish Aid. I extend our solidarity in the House to the unfortunate people in the Philippines who are experiencing severe hardship, with over 10,000 people dead and millions of people displaced and left destitute. I welcome the fact that the Government has provided €1 million to the country, but much more is required. I urge the Government to be part of a major international response that will provide help to the people concerned, because what happens in the next week or ten days will be critical in saving the large number of people who are in dire straits.

The generosity of the Irish people is much recognised and I urge citizens to support the Irish organisations working to help the people in the Philippines. Members can also provide practical help. Today I received an e-mail from a staff member who has arranged a coffee morning for next Thursday in order to raise funds for the people in the Philippines.

I support the call to arrange a discussion on Newbridge Credit Union with the relevant Minister.

We also need to discuss how far removed Newbridge Credit Union has been from the aims and objectives of the founding fathers of the credit union movement. It was certainly acting more like a major bank in having leant €3.2 million to one customer, it had a huge office block and was dispensing major loans. There is a major debate and discussion to be had in the House around how Newbridge Credit Union operated and how other credit unions who may be in difficulty have run their business in the past decade.

On a happy note, it is appropriate that we recognise a major sporting achievement by an Irishman, AP McCoy who rode his 4,000th winner last week and has been a champion jockey in England for the past 18 years. He has been a major role model for young people and those interested in sport. We are particularly pleased that he has Galway connections in that his wife, Chanelle, comes from Loughrea, County Galway, and is a member of the Burke family, significant business people and major employers in Loughrea.