Marc MacSharry (Fianna Fail)

According to media reports this morning, the Cabinet discussed the Declan Keane report on mortgage debt, personal debt and insolvency. I am calling for an early debate on these matters. Despite what we have seen in the programme for Government and the recommendations of the first expert group, there is now a second expert group. Declan Keane was a member of the first one also. The points leaked are very superficial. Language such as, "Banks should engage in debt settlement" is used. There is a proposal to beef up MABS, which would certainly be important from a resourcing perspective in giving financial advice. Will there be an adjudicatory role and oversight or will the banks still be in full control? Is it up to them to determine, as they see fit, whether there should be debt write-off or renegotiation of the terms of one's mortgage?

When we look at the legislative programme for this session and the rest of the year, we see no mention of insolvency legislation or legislation other than the Bill we introduced which was very kindly supported by the Taoiseach's 11 appointees, which we very much appreciate because we know they saw good sense in the fact that there were good proposals therein. I call for an early debate on the issue. While the subject has not been on the front pages of some of the newspapers in recent weeks, this is no reason we should not keep applying pressure in this House. Families require the support of the Oireachtas and this is a very serious issue.

Will the Leader investigate whether it is possible to make contact with the head of the HSE, following the HIQA recommendation, to ask about the aeromedical co-ordination centre which was to be established by tomorrow in conjunction with the National Ambulance Service? I have asked the Leader to check up on this body which is supposedly offering sick leave in lieu of overtime payments. The National Ambulance Service was to be supported by the Air Corps and the Irish Coast Guard. As we are all aware, the Meadbh McGivern case brought to light the disarray in the health service with regard to transplants to take place abroad. While we very much celebrate the fact that Ms McGivern is safely home and recuperating and we all wish her well, it is unacceptable that the HSE has not acted appropriately in setting up the aeromedical co-ordination unit.