Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

In fairness the only issues MABS will not deal with are commercial difficulties. MABS advisers are finding that the people coming into them have a very complex range of personal difficulties, some of which may indeed be tied up with commercial entities. However, as far as possible they are able to deal with them very successfully. The renewed programme for Government contains a specific commitment to regulating debt collectors and also dealing with all aspects of helping people to counteract debt. In that regard I welcome the decision by the Irish Banking Federation about mortgages and extending the time for people. The MABS protocol with the Irish Banking Federation is working very successfully. These are the initiatives that are been taken. We are working not only with the Department of Finance, but also with the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform on issues relating to debt to come up with a package to support people in difficult circumstances.

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