Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I agree with Deputy Tom Fleming that MABS has done great work over the years and evolved to a point where it has taken on some very difficult cases for clients dealing with the banks. No case will be sorted out if there is no co-operation or agreement to engage in the first instance. Help is available for people who do not read the letters or who dump them because they are afraid to read them. There is a solution to the vast majority of these problems, whether it be through MABS or the Insolvency Service of Ireland, the banks, the Department of Justice and Equality and the other agencies and organisations referred to by Deputy Tom Fleming. When the issue is put on the table, it can then be decided which of the solutions or options is best. There are various elements to that, including split mortgages and parking elements of the mortgage itself. There are a variety of things that can be done, but nothing will happen if people are not prepared to engage. The assistance put in place by the Government is available to them and we hope they will avail of it.

The last resort is for somebody to lose his or her house, and we do not want it to happen. Repossession is not inevitable for a person who has received a legal letter. The Central Bank has set down a code of conduct for mortgage holders and when a mortgage holder or borrower engages in the process, the code of conduct must be observed and this provides protection for the borrower. Last week, along with the Tánaiste and other Members, I met some of the personal insolvency practitioners to see first hand the progress being made. I want the increasing numbers of applications to the Insolvency Agency to be followed through so that the Department of Justice and Equality, Central Bank, the banks and MABS do their jobs and work with the borrowers. Without engagement, it will not work.

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