Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I was not part of the programme for Government discussions but I would say that some people who were would have a different interpretation of the discussions the Minister has just outlined. It is in the programme for Government and the Minister said of the code of conduct on the record of the House last week: "I am willing to review it again to make it mandatory on lenders to provide the more effective of the range of options that are now in the system to their borrowers." There was no talk last month that this was for unregulated entities. There is a clear commitment. The Minister went on to say that split mortgages and mortgages to rent were two of the more prominent options and were discussed in the programme for Government meetings.

I am asking a clear question because it seems the Minister is announcing a major U-turn on his commitment. Is it the intention of Government to make it mandatory on lenders to provide either split mortgages, mortgages to rent or other options to borrowers in mortgage distress? If it is, does the Government have the power to do it? If it does not, does the Governor support the move?

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