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Dáil
‹ Questions on Promised Legislation

Mortgage arrears resolution bill

Summary

Deputy McGrath criticised the Government’s response to the Fianna Fáil mortgage arrears Bill and its absence from the debate. The Tánaiste said many programme-for-Government commitments had been implemented and that some constitutional issues with a special court were still under examination.

We have 15 minutes for Questions on Promised Legislation and I have a list of 25 Deputies who want to contribute.

Comment on this

Last evening, the House debated the Fianna Fáil Mortgage Arrears Resolution (Family Home) Bill 2017, on which the House, when we vote shortly, will have its say. I know the Government is opposing this Private Members' Bill. There were two notable aspects to last night's debate. The only two speakers on the Government side were Ministers; no Government backbencher contributed. Notable by their absence were Members from the Independent Alliance, who made a great play during last year's negotiations on the issue of mortgage arrears. Also noticeable was that neither Government speaker mentioned the mortgages special court Bill. One could not but reach the conclusion that the Government has abandoned all plans to introduce a dedicated new court to deal with the issue of mortgage arrears. It was not even referenced by either of the Ministers from the Department of Justice and Equality last night when responding to an issue relating to mortgage arrears. The Tánaiste will be familiar with this as she was the line Minister up to a few weeks ago. Does the Government still plan to introduce that Bill and, if so, what is the current position in respect of it?

Comment on this

Quite a number of the programme for Government commitments we made have been implemented. There are some constitutional difficulties with the special court that are still being examined.

Comment on this