Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left) | Oireachtas source

What really annoys people is the softly-softly approach adopted by the Government in its dealings with the banks. Its attitude contrasts sharply with the experience of mortgage holder and this gets to people because there is no justification for it. Double standards operate in this State, with those with influence being looked after while the vulnerable at the bottom are ignored.

I received a letter from a family living in County Roscommon who were informed by the sheriff that he would visit their home on 17 June last. The sheriff did not show up on the appointed date but subsequently appeared on 24 June with ten other people, including six gardaí in two patrol cars. As the father pointed out, there had never been any threat of violence from the family, which has gone through the courts in its efforts to have the matter resolved. The husband, wife and one child were present when the sheriff arrived. When the group was refused entry to the house, it moved off to take possession of another house in the area, leaving the family in a state of fear and dread. Where will these families end up? If the sheriff had got his way on the day in question, eight people would have been left without a home and the local authority would have been required to rehouse them.

The father wrote that while he knows people must pay back the money they owe, it is not fair when one sees the deals being done and favours given to those at the top. He stated that he and his family will have sleepless nights waiting, without a date, for the sheriff to return. I received an e-mail yesterday informing me that the sheriff had since returned and repossessed the house, leaving eight people without a home and at the mercy of the local authority. No one cared where they would spend that night and they were given a telephone number and told to make an appointment. This family was trying to resolve the issue. It is unacceptable that these types of events are taking place in Ireland today. This modest Bill would alleviate some of the pressure on some families. It is unacceptable that the Government seems to be satisfied that the banks are allowed to do whatever the hell they like.

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