Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fail)

Where is the Keane report? We had a report in October 2010 and the Keane report last year. We were assured all this was happening but it is now being ignored and are sending these people back to the banks following which they then have to satisfy a social welfare inspector that they negotiated some deal with the banks.

These two provisions deserve a much more serious debate than that allowed in the Dáil and the Seanad. There is so much more to the Bill. Private pensions are being dealt with but there is no time to talk about that issue. It is a time-bomb for the future and it should be the subject of separate legislation.

I look forward to the return of the Minister and to a good debate on Committee Stage but if the Government parties were in opposition they would be utterly opposed to this. They must be opposed to it in their heart of hearts. Nobody is forcing them to be in favour of it. The Minister and her Cabinet colleagues are forcing their hand but it is about time they stood up and asked why we are so quick to hurt the poor and the most vulnerable in society. Why do not we not open the doors on a Sunday night to pass legislation on mortgage relief for people in debt? I would be here for that but apparently it cannot be done.