Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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Sometimes it is not possible to lodge a complaint within the six-year period. In the case of something like a tracker mortgage, an incorrect interest rate may not have come to the notice of the complainant and he or she may not know there were valid grounds for complaint within a six-year period. The three-year period is to allow a further period of time after it became apparent to the complainant that there was an issue about which he or she could lodge a complaint.

I presume the phrase "ought to be aware" means when something generally became public knowledge but it depends on each case. It would be a matter for the ombudsman to adjudicate on what "ought to be aware" means to admit a valid complaint at that point. In dealing with the heads of the Bill, we are dealing with the principles of issues and I am prepared to tease them out if the Deputy needs further refinement on that.