Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As I already said, the Central Bank is independent in its role but I hope it is aware of this debate and takes it into consideration. It will not change its view on the matter but, at least, it will hear what is being said about it.

The various credit unions should contact the Central Bank where they feel they need to make these payments. They can propose a mixture of a small dividend, large interest rebate, or 50:50 or whatever the local arrangements historically have been. If the credit union is satisfied that the Central Bank will allow that happen, notwithstanding the fact an AGM might not happen for several weeks, at least people will know the amount of a payment to expect in due course. Perhaps on an individual, member-by-member basis, if the case arises, arrangements can be made with the credit union in the full knowledge that if a payment is approved, how much it will be and when it will be received. Perhaps some local measures can come into play to assist the cash flow position of individual members if the need arises between now and Christmas.