Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Surely the Minister and Governor of the Central Bank can see the games that banks have been playing. This is not about debt and mortgage arrears but about market shares. The Minister is really rewarding the banks with a bigger share of the market at the expense of the credit union movement. That is the reality.

It is shameful that MABS is being bypassed. There appears to be ongoing negotiations with the UK company with a view to its coming here to engage on behalf of the consumer in respect of the pilot scheme for 750 mortgage holders. Allowing this to happen represents a complete dereliction of duty by the Government. The Central Bank should certainly be taken aside. We must recognise that MABS is a wonderful organisation with experience. It is dealing with mortgage holders. The British company deals mainly with unsecured debt. I ask that the Minister give us a very positive reply on behalf of the people who have given wonderful service to this State and the public. MABS is a State body and it should be given recognition.

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