Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I congratulate all those involved in the launch of the Yes Equality civil society campaign in Dublin yesterday. It was a very successful campaign and a large number of people turned out from various organisations and NGOs, all of whom combined under the Yes Equality banner. It is ten and half weeks until the referendum on 22 May. The launch was a very positive sign of a very strong and, I hope, successful “Yes” campaign. However, it is important, as the organisers stressed, that the campaign not be dominated by political parties, although it is very welcome that they support it. While all political parties are supporting the referendum, it was important to see civil society groups represented so strongly yesterday. It is vital that they be to the forefront of the “Yes” campaign for equality.

I ask for a debate on the question of mortgage arrears. The debate might best take place in this House once the review of the Insolvency Service of Ireland has been completed. I understand it is near completion and that the Government will be announcing new measures in April, with a focus on ensuring the safeguarding of the family home. Everyone here is very concerned about newspaper reports about increasing numbers of repossession proceedings being launched, albeit that the number of repossession orders granted has happily been small. The overall number of people whose mortgage accounts are in arrears is declining but, that said, there is no doubt that the take-up of the insolvency service has been disappointing. It is important that Government policy now focus on those individuals whose mortgages are in arrears for more than two years. We must also focus on the retention of the family home.