Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Senator Zappone raised the issue of the lack of financial assistance to persons facing arrears on their mortgage. This is an issue about which everybody shares concern. As the Senator knows, this Government has undertaken the biggest shake-up of personal insolvency law in a century. Part of the difficulty has been our archaic, until now, and difficult law on bankruptcy, leaving people with a real difficulty in terms of that ultimate sanction for banks.

We have conducted the big shake-up in personal insolvency law through the personal insolvency legislation. Mortgage interest relief has been given to those who bought their first homes during the bubble, and the Central Bank has set targets for banks in resolving mortgage arrears cases. There are sanctions for banks who fail to meet those targets, and we are starting to see signs that these policies are working. We have seen a modest decline in the number of people falling into arrears each month since August, and we have seen a decline in the number of primary home mortgages more than 90 days in arrears. That is not to in any way belittle the real difficulties still facing many people in repaying their mortgage. Already, over 70,000 mortgage holders have had their mortgages restructured and under the personal insolvency legislation we now have a framework whereby people can reach debt settlement arrangements and personal insolvency arrangements through the modernised and updated bankruptcy procedure. I am told the new personal insolvency service will open its doors by the summer and although the banks are already engaging to try to seek restructuring and solutions for mortgage holders, there will be a new service in place shortly.

Senator Barrett raised the issue of the EPP conference, which was raised by a number of colleagues. We all welcome any large gathering coming to Dublin. A significant number of conferences have been held since the Convention Centre was completed, and it has undoubtedly brought a huge boost to tourism in Dublin in particular.

Senator Barrett spoke about the danger of drifting into sanction and kindly supplied me with the article by Daniel Drezner, which is most interesting, and the danger of sanctions as a weak tool of enforcement in international law. That is fairly well known. Financial sanctions have already been suffered by Russia as a result of its actions in Crimea, and we see the loss in value of the rouble and the losses that Russian shares have suffered. That itself may act as an inhibitor, and we all very much hope it does. We join Senator Barrett in wishing the Taoiseach and the other European leaders well at the summit today. It seems that the Ukrainian Government has been admirably restrained in its response to the Russian provocation and it has made clear its desire to allow for a disengagement by Russia without the need for imposition of any sanctions, and certainly without the need for any escalation. We all hope the crisis can be de-escalated without the need for imposition of sanctions, but sanctions must be maintained as a possible route.

Senator Keane referred to the Paddy Power issue and the Oscar Pistorius bets. Senator Cullinane put it correctly when he said it is despicable for any bookie to take bets on the outcome of a murder trial; no one would disagree with that.

Senator Keane raised the relevant issue of the powers of the Advertising Standards Authority of Ireland and contrasted it with the British Advertising Standards Authority, which was asked to withdraw the advertisement. I had issues with the inability of the Advertising Standards Authority of Ireland to take action on different types of advertising, particularly online, but Senator Keane is right that we should ask consumers to express their disapproval by not giving any more business to Paddy Power while the advertisements are displayed.

Senator Ó Murchú spoke on the delays in the emergency ambulance service. We all read with alarm about particular delays in specific cases recently. Senator Ó Murchú asked that I would bring it to the notice of the Health Service Executive and the Minister for Health. I can certainly write to the Minister for Health but it might be worth the Senator's while raising it on the Adjournment, particularly if there are specific instances we can refer to that are of concern.

Senator O'Keeffe commented on the European-wide study on domestic violence. I attended the Mansion House launch yesterday of the survey by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, FRA, in conjunction with Safe Ireland and Rape Crisis Network Ireland. I agree with Senator O'Keeffe that the study shows shocking statistics on domestic and sexual violence against women. The Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality is currently engaging in hearings on domestic violence. We will be making recommendations on how to improve the effectiveness of our legal response to domestic violence. We have already heard some clear recommendations for reform, for example, the introduction of a specific offence of domestic violence, which, as Senator Moloney reminded me, was the subject of a Labour Party motion in the House before. Following Senator Mulcahy's eloquent contribution to the joint committee, at which I was present - it was a very powerful contribution - we are all conscious of the need to ensure a clearer pro-arrest strategy is adopted by An Garda Síochána when dealing with specific instances of domestic violence in the home.

We also heard some encouraging reports from organisations dealing with the perpetrators and seeking to address the behaviour of the male perpetrators of domestic violence - for the most part they are male - something that has, perhaps, been neglected in the past. I share Senator O'Keeffe's concern about how long this has been going on. I believe this Minister is keen to introduce reforms and domestic violence legislation is promised. The Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality will be feeding into that and therefore we can debate it in the House.

Senator Cullinane commented on the Paddy Power issue, which I have dealt with, and the jobs issue. He pointed to the unfortunate job losses yesterday in Dungarvan. We all share and extend our sympathies and support to those individual workers and their families. I imagine that yesterday during the debate on jobs Senator Cullinane raised the issue of the south east in particular. The Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Ruairí Quinn, is today opening a new premises in Waterford at the NebLabs building, the headquarters of the Telecommunications, Software and Systems Group, TSSG, in Waterford. The Government is well aware of the difficulties, in particular those faced by the south east. Some 5,000 new jobs are being created nationally every month, as colleagues will be aware, but there are areas which, even during the boom times, did not receive the same benefits in terms of job creation and they need to be targeted now.

Senator Brennan commented on flood damage and called for local authorities to consider installing footpaths in north County Louth along the Lagan shore. I suggest that the issue might be raised through the councils because it seems sensible that the opportunity could be taken to improve and enhance public facilities while the restoration work is being done in the aftermath of the floods. There is an obvious benefit to the construction industry locally as well.

Senator Heffernan referred to a ballad which I did not know before. He also raised the issue of the white-tailed eagles. I heard the report on "Morning Ireland" about the shocking and senseless shooting down of a particular white-tailed eagle in Tipperary. It is important that anyone who knows anything about this should bring the information forward to the Garda. It is a criminal offence. As the Senator said, it is senseless and outrageous to do this to such an endangered species. Senator Coghlan reminds me the bird was reared in Killarney and that there is a Killarney connection.