asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce when he proposes to introduce legislation to protect citizens against the fraudulent activities of operators of household budget companies.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Household Budget Companies.
6.
I propose to introduce a Bill for the regulation of household budget companies, or payment agencies as they are sometimes called, towards the end of the present session. Lest a wrong impression might be created by the wording of the Deputy's question I should mention that the larger agencies themselves would favour some sort of legislative control.
The Deputy is perhaps aware that, in this particular area, there are good and bad. I do not want to seem to agree with the impression in the Deputy's question. There are two sorts and the good ones, in fact, seek regulation which I propose to introduce.
I thank the Minister for his reply but I would ask him not to take it that I was casting any reflection on the good ones. Obviously I was concerned about the bad ones.
I accept that. I just wanted to clarify the terms of the Deputy's question.