Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Tea and sympathy for mortgage holders is of no use to them. Of course, some will be in a position to return to full payment of their mortgage sum but many others will not. The question is why the mortgage breaks were stopped for families and businesses that still require them at a time when we are still in the grip of a public emergency, when additional restrictions have been placed on Dublin and Donegal, and when there is the very real prospect that will happen elsewhere throughout the country. That is the issue. The Government left this matter until the eleventh hour and demonstrated no serious intent to secure a continuation of those very necessary and invaluable, as the Taoiseach called them, arrangements for mortgage holders.

My colleagues, Deputies Pearse Doherty and Farrell, have prepared legislation that will be published today in respect of reform of SIPO powers, particularly in terms of section 22, and allowing SIPO to investigate and make concrete sanctions against former Ministers or Ministers of State such as Senator D'Arcy, who has moved through that revolving door from politics to lobbying. The Taoiseach should remember that last week, Senator D'Arcy was on his feet in the Seanad, addressing issues very close to the financial services industry and of great interest to investment managers. This week, we learned that he is moving, changing and going to be a CEO for one of these organisations.

I am glad the Taoiseach has agreed the law needs to be changed. We do not need a lengthy review; we need this change to happen quickly. We are happy to provide the legislation and I hope the Government will support it.

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