Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The acting leader of the Opposition, Senator Byrne, raised the issue of the mortgage to rent scheme. On foot of the recommendations of the Keane report on mortgage arrears the Government launched a mortgage to rent scheme on a pilot basis in February 2012, which was extended nationally in June 2012. This is only one policy solution among many responses advanced by the Government. Senator Byrne clearly has not heard of the other responses, which I have outlined on several occasions. Budget 2012 also provided support for mortgage holders who had purchased homes between 2004 and 2008, at the height of the property market, by way of increased mortgage tax relief. Yesterday we spent three hours debating the Personal Insolvency Bill 2012. Many of these matters could have been raised during that period but only two of the contributors to yesterday's debate were from Fianna Fáil. I do not know if that is an indication of Fianna Fáil Members' interest in the Bill.