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Dáil
‹ Order of Business

Repossession cases and judicial reform

Summary

Mattie McGrath raises mass repossession hearings, including the threatened Gorse Hill eviction, and demands action on insolvency and judicial council legislation. The Minister says the judicial council Bill and corruption legislation will be taken this session.

Court hearings are taking place in Clonmel in respect of 55 repossessions. I am delighted the Minister is here and that the Minister for Finance is minding the country when the rest of his colleagues have gone. It is like the flight of the earls. When the Government came to power, the Taoiseach confined travel to ten people. Now the whole lot are gone. I am asking whether, under the family leave Bill, we all have full permission and clearance to go. Seriously, all of the Government will be gone.

Comment on this
Michael P. Kitt An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

What legislation is the Deputy referring to in respect of repossessions?

Comment on this

I am referring to two Bills. The Minister might or might not be aware that there is an order for the O'Donnell family to be evicted from Gorse Hill at 5 p.m. tomorrow when the Government will be in absentia and the courts will be closed. I am not fighting for Gorse Hill but I am fighting for the hundreds of people receiving the same treatment, much of it unfair, from the judicial system. Where is the judicial council Bill?

Comment on this

The Minister for Finance did not promise it.

Comment on this

The Minister for Finance did promise it. He said last week that it was not a problem in Limerick. He promised to change the Personal Insolvency Act. He introduced the Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Act, which was more like an eviction Act. It was just a fancy name for it. I am glad the Minister for Finance is remaining at home and I wish the Minister for Education and Skills well on her travels because the rest of the Government will be gone. People are suffering. A total of 55 cases are being heard in Clonmel today - half the county. There were 200 cases in Limerick last week, but does the Government care? Members of the Government have left the country. It is a Government in absentia. Where is the judicial council Bill? Deputy Ross introduced a Bill last session. Where is the criminal justice (corruption) Bill? We need this Bill to stop corruption.

Comment on this

The judicial council Bill and the criminal justice (Corruption) Bill will be taken this session. As the Deputy is aware, the Government will announce measures next month. The Taoiseach answered as Gaeilge yesterday about the Government announcing measures. Deputy Penrose has made a very fine contribution to this issue in respect of the Bill he has put forward.

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