John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Let me be clear about it. The reason I raise it here is that Mr. Ryan says how good and customer-focused Pepper is. He referred to Pepper's desire first and foremost to keep people in their homes. That is its goal. However, the experience of those who have contacted the committee has been that there were no negotiations. On the business side, it has been a matter of no negotiations and the appointment of a receiver. There was no discussion. That is what they are telling us. As I say, the debts involved seem to be small. In one letter, we were asked whether Pepper had an office in Ireland as the person had not been able to engage with it. I am putting this to Mr. Ryan for clarity because he is telling us the opposite. He says Pepper's door is open and people can contact it. He says Pepper engages and protects people's rights legally but that does not appear to have been the case with a lot of people who have written to us. That is what concerns me.