Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for coming before the committee today. I also thank and commend them on the work they do on behalf of mortgage holders. We are used to having financial institutions come before the committee and the Central Bank comes in, but it is very difficult for us to get individual bank customers or mortgage holders to come in. Therefore, it is very important that we have people who will advocate and speak on behalf of those people.

I will start with one or two questions to Mr. Kissane in respect of his report. This may sound like a basic question, but I am conscious that other people need to be informed in respect of this. What is the difference from a consumer's point of view if he or she has a mortgage with a vulture fund, as opposed to one of the established banks or financial institutions in the country?