asked the Minister for Defence if he favours the establishment of credit union facilities for members of the Defence Forces; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that many soldiers and their families are being forced to deal with moneylenders; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Financial Facilities for Defence Forces.
5.
(Limerick West): The setting up of a credit union for the Defence Forces was considered by the military authorities on a number of occasions. Following detailed examination and consultation with various authorities, including the Irish League of Credit Unions, it was concluded that a credit union for the Defence Forces was unnecessary and would not solve the problem of soldiers dealing with moneylenders. Since the mid-seventies there is a Defence Forces savings scheme arranged with the Trustee Savings Bank and personnel who have established a credit rating can borrow through this scheme.
Arising from the Minister's reply, would he accept that many families of Defence Forces personnel are being hounded by moneylenders? Is that the Minister's information? I have heard that families all round the country are finding it very difficult to live and that occasions which should be joyous for all families, for example, First Communion and Confirmation, are nightmares for these families. They cannot make ends meet and the illegal moneylenders are the only people they can turn to. Does the Minister accept that this practice is going on?
(Limerick West): The Deputy is great for using emotional language and playing to the gallery.
They are facts.
(Limerick West): What the Deputy is saying is totally at variance with the facts.
Question No. 6.
Arising from the Minister's reply——
I want to deal with Deputy Clohessy's question also.
I want to ask a final question.
Let us have a sense of fair play in these matters.
Will the Minister accept that it is now imperative that the Department of Defence, of which he is the Minister, should do something immediately with regard to the money-lending activities taking place and not have his head in the sand like the ostrich? It is certainly taking place and, to pretend that it is not, is doing a grave disservice to the whole of the Defence Forces.
Would the Minister pay them a decent wage?
(Limerick West): We will know shortly whose head is in the sand.
The Minister's will be down there anyway.
Does the Minister know something we do not?