Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Last evening, the House debated the Fianna Fáil's Mortgage Arrears Resolution (Family Home) Bill 2017, on which the House, when we vote shortly, will have its say. I know the Government is opposing this Private Members' Bill. There were two notable aspects to last night's debate. The only two speakers on the Government side were Ministers; no Government backbencher contributed. Notable by their absence were Members from the Independent Alliance, who made a great play during last year's negotiations on the issue of mortgage arrears. Also noticeable was that neither Government speaker mentioned the mortgages special court Bill. One could not but reach the conclusion that the Government has abandoned all plans to introduce a dedicated new court to deal with the issue of mortgage arrears. It was not even referenced by either of the Ministers from the Department of Justice and Equality last night when responding to an issue relating to mortgage arrears. The Tánaiste will be familiar with this as she was the line Minister up to a few weeks ago. Does the Government still plan to introduce that Bill and, if so, what is the current position in respect of it?

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