Jim D'Arcy (Fine Gael)

I support the call by Senator Darragh O'Brien to the effect that the Government be asked to speed up the response to issues relating to mortgages and the mortgage arrears implementation strategy. I am of the view that said response is imminent but there is a need to get it into the public domain. There are a number of reasons for which people are obliged to surrender their homes. Everyone will agree that the massive and unsustainable property boom which occurred in this country is a factor in this regard. At this point, however, we must look forward. The Keane report is extremely important because it deals with those who might wish to surrender ownership of their homes to either their local councils or the banks and then continue to live in them. More is required in this regard.