Ann Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I accept the comprehensive answer the Minister of State has given. Very varied situations exist and I accept wholeheartedly we cannot have a one size fits all solution. Does the Minister of State accept that in some cases, which have been reported widely in the media, people have received debt write-down while other people cannot obtain this? Does he accept this causes resentment not only among debtors but in society in general?

I accept the bank will have to do individual deals with people but we must level the playing field. I have constituents who have been trying to deal with a bank other than AIB who cannot get anywhere. Their phone calls are not returned. They keep a diary of how they try to contact the bank. The bank will not engage with them and has told them to surrender their home. We then have reports in the media of people receiving debt write-down on half their mortgage so one can see why people are getting very upset.

I accept a bank must be commercial and such activities must be taken into consideration, but this involves people and it is not only an economic situation. I have been in a home where the mortgage difficulties are such the fire cannot be lit until after 7 p.m. The mortgage must continue to be paid and the people cannot afford to buy coal to light the fire. These are the situations I am dealing with and the people who need debt write-down. I hope the Minister of State will take what I am saying on board.

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