Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate the position as outlined by the Minister. Unfortunately, things have taken on a life of their own and even where borrowers entered into commitments during the bad times and are making payments in line with what was advised to them, thereby doing their utmost to discharge their debts, this is being dismissed by the new operators. Borrowers are now being asked how much they can pay up front and for amounts that represent a sizeable part of their debt. This is an attempt by these firms to make their profit before they start, notwithstanding the fact that they bought the debt for a fraction of what it was.

People who are already under financial pressure are being subjected to continued mental pressure as a result of the activities of these operators, which is worrying. What action can be taken to interrupt the momentum of these companies?

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