David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for taking on board the views expressed in this House with regard to amendment No. 20, which is very similar to amendments we tabled on Committee Stage. As the Minister put it, we sought to recast the section on reasonable household expenses to which people are entitled and which are necessary to maintain a reasonable standard of living for the debtor and his or her dependents. Our problem previously was that it was not entirely clear what this would constitute. In previous discussions on this the Minister made the point it was up to the intermediary of the dispute resolution mechanism, which would be most likely MABS, to lay down the criteria. Our view is that we as legislators should do this as best we can. In examining the detail of amendment No. 20 I certainly think it has met the requirements put forward by me, Senator Zappone and others in this respect. I fully support amendment No. 20 and I thank the Minister for agreeing to it.