Marc MacSharry (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I propose an amendment to the Order of Business that the Minister for Finance, Deputy Michael Noonan, notwithstanding his attendance here yesterday, come to the House again today to discuss the position of mortgage holders with what was the Irish Nationwide Building Society and is now the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation. While the other House accepted the principle of the Fianna Fáil Bill to give protections to this group, it is vital that we have a debate on the issue in this Chamber. Like universal health insurance, this issue is being put on the never-never by the Government. We are told there is agreement in principle with what my party has proposed, but the issue is effectively being kicked down the road, to be looked at, perhaps, in a year or so. As Senator Hayden said, this simply is not good enough.

The banks' balance sheets show that 1,500 houses have been repossessed, two thirds of them owner occupied properties and one third buy to lets. We have no regional breakdown of these figures. What is the Government's plans in terms of follow-up actions? Of the 1,000 families that are now out of their homes, how many are on housing lists, in rented accommodation or homeless? We do not have anything in place to determine their status. I agree wholeheartedly with Senator Hayden that the right protections are not in place. Notwithstanding Members opposite wrestling with their conscience three years ago in regard to our Family Home Bill, which would have given very specific support to families in respect of the family home, the decision was made to leave the banks in absolute control. The secret stairs to which Senator Barrett often refers that allows access for bankers and developers to the Department of Finance seems to exist no matter who is in government.

The reality is that the Government is taking a hands-off approach to all of this. Pointing out this inaction is not to absolve previous Governments any more than it is to absolve the current Government, but inaction it is. Being placated with assurances that we have brought forward a worthwhile proposal is not good enough. Having a Private Members' Bill accepted on Second Stage is merely an empty victory if the Government is simply going to push the issue onto the never-never. It is not good enough. Principles and talk are cheap; what we need is action to protect family homes. Where are the 1,000 families whose homes have been repossessed? We know nothing about them. As Senator Hayden rightly observed, the number of repossessions will only increase. We had a very respectful debate with the Minister yesterday, but it is worth nothing.