TheJournal.ie uses cookies. By continuing to browse this site you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Click here to find out more »
Dublin: 9 °C Wednesday 22 May, 2013

Government pledges support for Credit Union reform

The Finance Minister is to establish an implementation group in order to facilitate the restructuring of the the country’s Credit Unions.

Finance Minister Michael Noonan
Finance Minister Michael Noonan
Image: Niall Carson/PA Wire/Press Association Images

THE FINANCE MINISTER Michael Noonan says the Government will establish an implementation group in order to facilitate the restructuring of Credit Unions as recommended in a recent report.

Earlier this month, a major report by the Commission on Credit Unions recommended the restructuring of Ireland’s credit unions. The report, which examined key features of credit unions in the country and investigated the financial position of the sector, recommended that the unions be restructured on a voluntary basis through mergers and transfers, which should take place over a maximum of four years.

Speaking at the Irish League of Credit Unions Annual General Meeting at the weekend, Noonan said that Credit Unions had been a “durable presence” throughout the country over the past 50 years, and that the Government would support them during the upcoming period of transition.

Noonan said that the forthcoming Credit Union Bill would give effect to the changes to regulation and governance outlined in the report – and that the changes would be introduced on a phased basis over time and calibrated according to the tiered regulatory approach.

The Irish Times reports that €500 million has been earmarked for the reform of the country’s Credit Unions, with €250 million set aside for this year.

Read: Report calls for restructuring of credit union sector

Read next:

Comments (11 Comments)

  • Bye Bye to the one financial lender that I trust!

    Reply
    • The Credit Unions are run better than the government Noonan, so why don’t you keep your nose out of them.

      Reply
    • “Had this happened in Scotland between 1793 and 1845, bank owners (stockholders) would have to make their promises good by digging into their own pockets. In our country, however, the government enforcement agents were instructed to come after the American citizenry instead! Franklin Roosevelt convinced Congress to pass a bill making it illegal for Americans to own gold. (14) Everyone had to exchange their valuable gold for Federal Reserve notes, which had no intrinsic value. Gold was still given to foreigners who brought their dollars to be exchanged for gold, but not to Americans!

      While U.S. banks failed in the early 1930s and Americans were shorn of their gold, no Canadian banks failed. Between 1921 and 1929, American depositors lost an estimated $565 million, while Canadian losses were less than 3% of that. Canada enjoyed a banking system similar to the one described earlier for Scotland few licensing laws and no central bank with an exclusive monopoly on currency issue. Each bank issued its own notes and protected itself and the public by refusing to loan to inflating banks. Just as in Scotland, the stockholders of the banks were obligated to make good the inflated currency. Unfortunately for Canada, the aggression of licensing laws was instituted in 1935.”
      Dr. Mary Ruwart (Healing the world in an age of aggression)

      Reply
    • An iPhone app that could make the contemporary view of banking and currency a thing of the past.
      http://www.forbes.com/sites/jonmatonis/2012/04/26/be-your-own-bank-bitcoin-wallet-for-apple/

      Reply
  • Thats it nopw . The death knell for credit unions …….

    Reply
  • Implementation group is that the new name for Quangos?

    Reply
  • How about doing something for sole traders who have get caught when a main subcontractor has gone bust….

    Why can’t you or anyone in your cabinet do anything to actually help people who are trying to make a living in this shocking economy…

    You just seem to make it harder to live here on a daily basis…. Revenue constantly Introducing more red tape… Upward only increases on Duties on fuel…. Multitude of New taxes… I really think I will have to leave this country to find work elsewhere and send the money back home to my wife and kids…

    Reply
    • That’s what I do here in India for the last 5 years. And for the exact reasons you have stated. There is no help in Ireland for the self-employed. You are expected to fight like a dog for all you have, give away half and be grateful you exist in a welfare state. I really really suggest you move away and get your life and sanity back. Ireland, at this time, is for overpaid ‘management’-level public servants ( not front-line staff), NAMA’d developers, retired TD’s and govt cronies. I am very proud to be Irish, however, ‘Ireland Inc’ needs to be proud of it’s people cos it’s treating us like crap. Rant over…

      Reply
    • MojoRise 01/05/12 #

      Hi RP… So you went to India. Wow

      So I take it things are going nicely for you… Fair play to you and congratulations.

      I agree with everything you say. I hope to find work in sweeden or Germany….

      All the best…. Tweet me anytime you like be nice to hear what your up too over there. Gluck

      Reply
  • The government will be snooping around people’s accounts in the credit union. They will probably get them to increase the lower interest rates at the credit union, more money for them to pour into Anglo.

    Reply
  • The major parties continue to drive the vote toward SF. I can’t figure out if it’s arrogance or stupidity. But stupidity seems to be a platform on which the current government is built.

    Reply

Add New Comment