Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)

I support Senators Fitzgerald, O'Toole, MacSharry and others who referred to the many people who are in a very distressed state over their mortgages. Of course we should have a homeowner's protection scheme and make whatever amendment is necessary to the court orders legislation to ensure we are prohibiting repossession. We will be holding the hands of large-scale developers through NAMA for up to ten years if it survives the Regan challenge at EU level. Rather than pouncing on homeowners who are worried about their jobs and other pressing concerns within six months, we should extend the period to two years, at a minimum. This is a very important matter and I urge the Leader to take it up. The House is united on it.

I fully support Senator Bradford on the report of the Ombudsman. As he stated, this is only the second time in 25 years that the Ombudsman has adopted the course of action that has been taken. The decision applies to the lost-at-sea scheme in this instance. It is obvious from the Ombudsman's stance that the Byrne family has been discriminated against. I urge the Government to adopt forthwith the Ombudsman's recommendation that compensation of €245,570 be paid to the Byrne family, thereby closing this sad and sorry chapter.