Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fail)

What training is being provided to staff? Who decides if an alternative repayment arrangement is not being complied with? This is an intolerable burden to be putting on the community welfare officer. I do not know how he or she will do it. He or she will have to go through all of the documentation to ensure it has been complied with.

The Minister has not answered the question as to what happens if the bank refuses to put an alternative repayment arrangement in place. There is nothing there. I reiterate the point that there is no incentive on the banks to do it. There is no obligation in the code of conduct. While the statute requires a change in the terms and conditions of the mortgage, the code of conduct does not require it. This measure is badly thought out and drafted. The idea is good in principle but the Minister should take it back to the drawing board and this section should be withdrawn.