Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

First, I express my full sympathy for individuals and families who have had this negative and at times extremely stressful experience of dealing with banks, including negotiations, the time it takes, and the various levels people have had to go through.

The Deputy is probably aware that the Money Advice & Budgeting Service, MABS, is one of the advisory services available to the public through the resources of the Department of Social Protection. It helps in situations like those outlined by the Deputy. It can be very difficult for those involved because while we have the Financial Services Ombudsman, the actual examination of various issues in cases can take a great deal of time. I would certainly like to see an improved and expanded service from the Financial Services Ombudsman. This is one way in which this particular situation would be assisted.

The Deputy said it is not a legacy issue, but the actual experience-----

See this speech in context