Garret Ahearn (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is very upsetting that the Central Bank sent out a letter to credit unions not to pay out their dividends. I encourage the Minister of State to support the credit unions to make dividend payments to their customers. The credit union in Clonmel had a fantastic year. It has a surplus of had €3.6 million with a dividend of €1.7 million to be shared by members, equating to approximately €200 or €300 each. That money is spent locally. Credit unions only exist because of the support of their members and the community. It is really important and sacrosanct that the dividend be paid to members, especially this year more than most. I urge the Minister of State to support that.