Larry Butler (Fianna Fail)

I want to raise the issue of the all-party report on mortgages by the Joint Committee on Social and Family Affairs which was published yesterday. It brings forward 21 proposals with regard to the banking sector to ensure people currently in trouble in repaying their mortgages would have some say in how they can keep their houses into the future. I put a great deal into this report through the EBS which gave us solid banking proposals as to how this could work. I hope the Government will accept the proposals and introduce them as part of legislation for the entire sector, not just the Irish banking sector. A proposal has been made which I welcome that all banking establishments in this country obey the one year rule, but we are seeking a 24 month moratorium on the mortgages of all those who have lost their jobs. That is key to them being able to keep their houses. We have made suggestions on how the banks could take equity in houses, among various other proposals made in the report. God knows there are enough reports collecting dust on shelves. Senator MacSharry has put a great deal of work into his part of the proposals. This is one report which includes proper proposals with banking support from the EBS. It should be introduced as soon as possible and I call on the Government to do so. I will table a motion at the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party meeting next week to accept these proposals and ensure people in serious trouble would get a fair crack of the whip. The report also covers the issue of personal debt.