Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)

As the Taoiseach will be aware, the Government has a legislative group working on new legislation to protect people in debt difficulties. Would the Taoiseach consider extending a moratorium while this policy work is ongoing on repossessions and, specifically, whether that would apply to Halifax Bank of Scotland, HBOS, mortgage holders who are particularly exposed in the current situation?

While I am at it, credit card holders have been abruptly told by HBOS that they must clear their accounts by May. Here again, some provision to provide reasonable consumer protection in this transition would be appropriate.

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