Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will wait to see how many are licensed in that context.

The Deputy has been bleating around the House for the past several years, ignoring the fact that his party, when in government, created the disaster that is now affecting the lives of tens of thousands of people. While making his presentation, he was anxious that the banks would engage and resolve mortgage issues. The banks have been engaging for some time with more than 75,000 people who have temporary arrangements in place to facilitate their dealing with financial difficulties with mortgages. The banks, however, have been unnecessarily slow - I have been critical of them in this regard - in putting in place permanent arrangements to address people’s indebtedness in circumstances in which practical outcomes could be brought about.

I welcome the fact that the existence of the insolvency legislation has resulted in the development of a mechanism by AIB with the Irish Mortgage Holders' Organisation. I note the individual who heads up the organisation was extremely critical of everything to do with the insolvency legislation. The Deputy can be sure that AIB, or any other financial institution, would not be making a financial contribution of €150,000 to any organisation to independently represent those in financial difficulty whose difficulties need to be addressed by the bank unless they felt they would be put under pressure by the insolvency legislation. I welcome the fact that this has happened, and Deputy Niall Collins should see that as a positive outcome of the enactment of the insolvency legislation.

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