Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We have learnt that there will be a voluntary sign-up to the CCMA by the foreign bidders for the Irish Nationwide Building Society loan book, which is progress, but to have this on a voluntary basis is not adequate. It must be mandatory. The second highest right in the Constitution is to property. That is how high that right is. There must be mandatory protection for homeowners. The question that nobody asks is: who is protecting the homeowner whose performing loan will be sold abroad? Nobody will. Guess what? The code is only for borrowers in mortgage arrears. If one's loan is not in arrears, one has no protection at all. I have tabled a matter on the Adjournment for the past two weeks and I look forward to its being taken this evening. I am looking for the first right of refusal to be given to the Irish homeowner.