Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Lest anybody be unaware of the extent and seriousness of this scandal, by the end of September €163 million had been provided back to customers, representing 3,300 customers. By the end of this process we are talking about close to 30,000 customers who will be entitled to their money back and to redress. This will involve hundreds of millions of euro. This is money that was taken inappropriately from families right across the country, many of whom were put under huge pressure during that period. This is why people are rightly angered by this and they expect the Government and the Central Bank - independently of each other - to make sure the response is comprehensive.

The Central Bank is engaging with other statutory bodies on this tracker mortgage examination, including An Garda Síochána. They will take the appropriate action in respect of what has happened. I share the Deputy's anger and frustration. I assure him that the Minister for Finance was not mincing his words yesterday when he briefed the Cabinet on this issue. This is not going to be a case of grandstanding for a number of days. The Central Bank will need to see this through with regard to the probe it started back in 2015. The Government will insist on getting a comprehensive answer from the banks on this so we can bring the saga to an end, sooner rather than later, and ensure people get their money back, as well as the appropriate redress they are due.

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