Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for the update on the scheme. I welcome the fact that he is meeting with the working group for the owners of defective homes. That is vitally important. It is a sad reflection that the group has had to do the work to show that the banks are responsible and have commitments they must honour with regard to these mortgages when the Government should have undertaken that process. I am glad that the Government is coming to the table, but I hope the Minister will take this on board, continue with it and ensure that the banks play their part. The very least the banks can do is to provide the funding for homeowners to cover any gaps in the scheme. We will wait to see whether the increases the Minister has talked about actually reduce those gaps. Any gaps should be funded by those who own the mortgages on the properties in order that householders can get some service from the scheme and can see their way through it rather than having to deal with credit unions and other financial institutions. Unfortunately, the turmoil caused by what has happened is going to go on for years because of the sheer number of houses that have to be dealt with. It needs to be done right. I welcome that the Minister is to meet with the group. I hope he will continue on and make the banks accountable in this regard.

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