Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Tá dhá cheist agam ar an Taoiseach, an chéad cheann faoi reachtaíocht atá forógraithe. There is promised legislation to amend the Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Act 2009. This was revealed during the December troika review when the troika said the Government was committed to bringing forward legislation to allow the banks to repossess homes. Will this proposed legislation contain safeguards for home owners to protect them from repossessions? I note the banks are to meet twice with the Central Bank on the issue of burden-sharing. Given that a quarter of all domestic mortgages are now in distress, will further legislation be required to ensure the banks engage in debt write-downs for struggling households?

Regarding the mobility allowance scheme and the motorised transport grants scheme, we have been advised by the media that Teachtaí from the Labour Party and the Fine Gael Party have already been briefed on this matter. I do not know whether this is true. Certainly, given that this was a matter that an Oireachtas committee was dealing with and commitments on consultation were made, the Opposition should have at least been entitled to have the Minister for Health make the announcement on the schemes here. I do not believe it is a good way to do business if we are reliant upon the media to tell us about Government announcements, particularly when they affect constituents we represent.

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