Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

On one hand, the Minister of State has said that it is not clear that this is going to affect many people but on the other hand, he states that it will be a drain on the resources of the courts. Which is it? If it is going to place further demands on the Courts Service and if that means the difference between a case being heard, a case involving people in danger of losing their home or a home to which they hope to return, then I have no issue with that going before the courts. I think that is the kind of issue that should be tried before the courts. That is the very point that this amendment draws us into, of trying to get around the courts by using the approach of a receivership. FLAC is coming across that and it is a reality, whatever the number of cases involved, be it a dozen, 200 or a greater number. It is important that those families and individuals involved be protected.

I understand the Minister of State's point regarding delaying this Bill. I do not want to delay it either. If we are, however, stating that we cannot pass any amendments because it could delay legislation then that is a way of stating that certain areas will not be dealt with at all and we will come back to them at some unknown date in the future. This is the place where we can deal with it and we should deal with it. I am, therefore, pressing this amendment.

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