Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate that. I do not know the answer to this issue but I would hate to see a case of people losing their homes because they bought an apartment in 2005.

Although not strictly connected to the legislation, the next issue should be considered in conjunction with the Bill. This is funding on the borrower side for representation. There is a range of organisations, including the insolvency service, the Money Advice and Budgeting Service, New Beginning, etc., and borrowers need representation. If the process has moved to the point where the bank is seeking to take possession of a house, it is at a pretty bad stage. In my office in Wicklow and I am sure in the Minister's office we can see a case of a bank negotiating with all its power and expertise with a couple who may have nothing and be stressed out of their minds. They have no representation or anybody to go into the bank with them in order to negotiate or go to court. They are fed to the wolves, as far as I can see, and I do not believe any of us would like that to happen. Perhaps in conjunction with the Bill - or even incorporated into it - we should ensure that any individual or couple going through a repossession process should have the kind of professional, legal and financial representation that the likes of New Beginning offer.

I am more than happy to submit the issues to the Minister in a letter and perhaps we could pick up on them on Committee Stage. I thank the Minister for listening.

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