Aideen Hayden (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I am sure this question can be very easily answered. I am aware that one of the concerns of some of the voluntary organisations revolves around the failure of the banks to deal with creditors and some of the tactics the banking sector has used to avoid creditors. I am personally aware of cases in which letters have gone unanswered for up to six months, if not longer; correspondence has been directed to one office and creditors who have telephoned about it have been told, "That is the wrong office, it needs to go somewhere else." Not to put too fine a point on it, there have been concerns that banks - in using that word I also include building societies - through different strategies have gone to extensive lengths to avoid communication with distressed borrowers. It is of concern that this requirement might stand in the way of genuine borrowers in distress being able to activate some of the provisions of the Bill. I am sure this concern is one the Minister will be very easily able to address.