Mr. Lorcan O'Connor:

The ISI does not have the power to set any rules specifically with regard to fees, with the exception of ensuring they are charged in a transparent manner. A number of large operators have stated publicly that it is not their intention to charge a fee; however, there may be situations in which a case is very complex.

Let us say somebody who is considering a PIA has a number of buy-to-let properties, debts with several banks and a number of other debts in the form of credit union loans, personal loans, personal guarantees, utility bills and so on. In such a situation, a practitioner might charge an up-front fee to manage in part the risk that the PIA might not be successfully passed. So long as that is charged in a transparent manner, I do not have an issue with it, but I would like to give an assurance that the vast majority of debtors, who are not in such a complex situation, will not be asked to pay an up-front fee.