Marc MacSharry (Fianna Fail)

I follow Senator Denis Landy by referring to news reports today that highlight the epidemic of house repossessions. There are now two per day and over one year into the term of office of the Government, despite many promises, we have made no progress. Solutions have been put forward on all sides of the House; this side has tabled two Bills, but there has not been any action and still the people wonder. Senator Denis Landy has eloquently pointed out that we are now the custodians of the banks; we are supposed to control them as large shareholders on behalf of the people, but in reality, what are we doing? Senator Sean D. Barrett mentioned the backstairs in the Department of Finance for the exclusive use of bankers. We are failing the people day by day. While the IMF can easily secure €325 billion to support governments, what is the Government doing to support families in Ireland? We introduced the Family Home Bill and the Debt Settlement and Mortgage Resolution Bill, while a proposed Government Bill to address the issue has been left sitting on Committee Stage with no action being taken, largely because it does not suit the bankers who are concerned about what the markets might say. I do not care about the markets, I care about people. I know Senator Denis Landy and other Members of the Houses care about them also. If the Whip was removed and that basic question was put, 99.9% of Members would vote in favour of the people receiving the support they need. Unless action is taken quickly, we will reintroduce the Family Home Bill which would provide a solution that might be judicial, but it could be put in place quickly to ensure families are kept in their homes, rather than allowing two families per day to be put out on the street.