Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

On 7 March last the Taoiseach stated "I want to make it clear that the taking of houses from people is something we do not want to see and the banks themselves would see it only as a last resort". Today's edition of the Irish Examiner contains a heart-rending story about a couple in Kanturk, Martin and Claire O'Sullivan, who have three children under eight years of age and who are facing eviction from their home, the mortgage relating to which is approximately €180,000. They took out their mortgage with Smart Mortgages and their monthly repayments in respect of it are €1,000. Unfortunately, Martin, who is the sole earner, became unemployed and they are not in a position to meet their repayments. The couple have offered to make repayments of €400 per month, but this has been rejected by the mortgage company, which sent them a letter stating that the sheriff will be coming to evict them from their home.

By any standards, this is a shocking story and what has happened flies in the face of the kind of reassurances we were given in the House and elsewhere that this type of thing would not occur. Despite the change in the law, which has made it easier for banks to repossess properties, and the dilution of the code of conduct, which has essentially put them in the driving seat, it was stated that every effort and intervention would be made to prevent people from losing their family homes. The family in question have appealed to the Taoiseach to intervene. They are not alone. We know from the most recent CSO figures that 97,800 private residential mortgages have been in arrears for more than 90 days. Standing aside or remaining out of the fray will not help the families to whom I refer. There are options available. The intervention of State agencies is essential to help these families. I request that the Taoiseach appoint someone from his Department to ensure the Government and its agencies intervene in this case and provide a sustainable solution. I also request that all options be explored to prevent this couple and their three children from being evicted from their home.

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