Michael Mullins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I share Senator Hayden's concerns about the Central Bank report on the seven banks that are breaking the rules on how they treat people in arrears. It is disturbing to hear that banks are continuing with legal action to repossess homes even though they had agreed a revised deal with a struggling homeowner. Other banks are taking away Central Bank protection from mortgage customers because they did not agree to a repayment schedule over the phone.

What was disturbing about the interview I heard this morning with a representative of the Central Bank was that no stern action appears to be planned. The banks were to be contacted and told to correct their misdemeanours, which is very limited action and the Central Bank needs to adopt a much tougher stance on those seven banks. They were not named and I believe they should be named and shamed.

I welcome the announcement that the Minister for Health, Deputy Varadkar, is preparing a new campaign to get workplaces to become more active by encouraging the public sector, which employs just short of 300,000 people, to develop healthy workplace policies. Public sector companies and agencies, which employ 15% of the total workforce, will be encouraged to make their workplace a healthier place and get staff to be more active under the new plans to involve active travel. It will also try to get employees involved in walking, running and other activities, and exercise groups as well as promoting healthy eating options in staff canteens. This is very welcome.

However, I also appeal to the private sector and in particular large employers to follow this line and to start to develop healthy workplaces promoting healthy food options in canteens as well as promoting exercise, walking and cycling groups within large enterprises. We all know the problems we have with obesity and ill health. The more we can promote healthy opportunities in all workplaces, the better for the Exchequer. It should also help to ease considerably the strain on the health budget.