Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Yesterday the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Brendan Howlin, signed the commencement order for the financial emergency measures in the public interest, FEMPI, legislation, but there is much confusion in terms of the unions that did not sign up to the Lansdowne Road agreement. As the Taoiseach is aware, members of the ASTI, the TUI and the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors voted to reject the proposals. The question now arises as to how their members will be treated from January when the agreement comes into force. As a result of the commencement order being signed, will the Taoiseach confirm that the members of the three unions will not lose out on incremental pay rises due next year? Will he also confirm that secondary schoolteachers will receive their €1,600 in supervision and substitution allowances which are due to be introduced in two phases next year? The Taoiseach will agree there is no precedent in the State's history for treating public sector employees differently, based solely on union membership.

Given that more than 100,000 families are still in mortgage arrears, it is surprising and very disappointing that no fines or other financial penalties have been imposed on banks found to be in breach of the code of conduct on mortgage arrears. The code is far from perfect, but it does offer a level of protection to borrowers who are in difficulty with their mortgages, and banks and financial institutions should respond accordingly. It is a very weak approach so far. The Central Bank's report in June found a litany of breaches of the code of conduct on mortgage arrears. Some of the instances were very shocking, for example, in terms of lenders continuing with legal action against their customers although they had already agreed repayment deals. Will the Taoiseach confirm that he finds that behaviour shocking? When will the financial services (miscellaneous provisions) Bill be published?

In the programme for Government the Taoiseach committed to introduce legislation on a tenancy deposit protection scheme to put an end to disputes concerning the return of deposits. The Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill is to be debated in the Dáil tomorrow. Will the Taoiseach confirm that legislative commitment in the programme for Government will be introduced either via amendment or by other means in the context of the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill?

We have all received correspondence concerning the review panel established by the Minister for Justice and Equality.

Some 320 cases were referred to the review panel set up by the Minister, to review cases where families believed a miscarriage of justice had occurred or that gardaí did not act appropriately in their individual cases. Some have received notification that their cases are closed but many more have not been contacted at all. There is a great deal of stress as a result of that. People are anxious, disillusioned and frustrated with the entire process. The criminal justice (victims rights) Bill could help in this regard. Can the Taoiseach give any indication when the process regarding the review panel will be completed and when that legislation will be introduced?

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