Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

On customers of sub-prime companies, we have asked the authorities to seek to extend the arrangements to those people as well. I do not believe they should be exempt from a code of conduct in this regard and I understand that is what is intended. I explained that the code of conduct arises out of legislation on the Financial Regulator and IFSRA. The whole purpose of codes of conduct, based on that statutory code, is to provide the means to deal with situations quickly, whereas in respect of statutory provisions one has to introduce primary legislation all the time. As this situation evolves we need to respond flexibly and as humanely as possible to people who find themselves in genuine difficulty. If other people are simply absolving themselves of their responsibilities or are not engaging at all-----

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