Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 to 11, inclusive, together.

The Economic Management Council has met 62 times since its establishment. The members have met 25 times so far this year, most recently on 12 July, and have met 12 times since the Easter recess. The Government has been working closely with the Irish banks to ensure that the banking sector supports economic recovery. The members of the council last met with the banks on 26 June. The general topic of the meeting was mortgage arrears and new mortgage lending. The timing of the meeting coincided with the Government's decision to publish the personal insolvency legislation. During the meeting, members of the council took the opportunity to set out the Government's commitment to assisting those in mortgage arrears and set out our strategy to address mortgage arrears difficulties. The council also took the opportunity to seek assurances from all of the banks that they are fully committed to addressing the mortgage arrears of their customers.

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