Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge that the Deputy raised this matter in the House last week when we were bringing through legislation. It is important that all consumers have equal access to the FSPO. We are engaging with the ombudsman on its interpretation of the legislation and also with legal advisers to identify a way forward so that the gap that has been identified is fixed. As the Deputy will be aware, we have 2015 legislation, which was strengthened in 2018. That was legislation I brought forward in opposition that was supported by Sinn Féin and adopted by the Government at the time to ensure loan owners were directly regulated as well. This is an issue that predates the entities that were not regulated prior to that and how that affects access of the customers of those entities to the services of the FSPO. If a legislative amendment is necessary and possible, it will be brought forward and I will revert to the Deputy.

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