Michael Mullins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I join Senator Bacik and others in extending our sympathy and expressing our grave concern about the appalling loss of life in the Mediterranean over the weekend and recently. We all share the view that is shared throughout the European Union and with our southern partners that a joint solution must be found to such a large humanitarian crisis. The issue of human safety and the involvement of organised crime must be addressed. These unfortunate people are leaving their home countries because of appalling conflict and famine. This is a major issue that the entire international community must address. All of us in the House would want to ensure our Government plays its part in providing resources for these displaced people and while significant sums of money have been donated already to the humanitarian crisis in Syria, what we are facing now is much more serious. I would welcome a debate with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade on this humanitarian crisis, which is probably the worst we have seen in our lifetimes. I support the call for that debate.

Will the Leader organise a debate as soon as possible on the banking issue?Last week I spoke about variable mortgage rates. However, we also need to examine the whole issue of banking charges and particularly bank charges as they apply to small business, especially small cash businesses. I have recently discussed this issue with small operators who have cash businesses. They tell me they cannot afford to lodge their cash through the banks. They are charged 60 cent per €100 to do so and they are, therefore, finding alternative ways. If it was not for the credit union movement, many of these businesses would have to close. I spoke to a small shopkeeper this morning who told me that because of the co-operation and the support of the credit union he has been able to halve his banking charges.

We need to have a major debate in this House on the banking system, including banking charges. This man tells me that if he comes under any further pressure from the banks or Revenue, which is putting him under severe pressure, he will have to close shop and put six people out of work. We do not want that to happen. I would like an extensive debate in this House with the Minister for Finance or the Minister of State in the Department in respect of the banks and their behaviour in dealing with small business in this country.