Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is not one of the issues sometimes raised here that create mirth and laughter. It was an issue of general concern to thousands of people.

An issue that is of even broader concern to people in this country is that of mortgage arrears. The Government promised two months ago there would be changes to the bank veto and an expansion of the mortgage to rent scheme. Nothing at all has happened on the second point, but we are told legislation will be brought to the Dáil next week, at the very last minute, on the bank veto. In the meantime, 100 repossession cases will be heard in Trim on Monday, following the 100 heard before the court last week. I am sure the position is the same in every county, with multiples of that number in Dublin. Is the Government taking the issue seriously at all? Why did it not push the legislation through and give some hope to people? Ministers seem happy to hold press conferences at Government Buildings to get the headlines out before the issue is forgotten about again. It has not been forgotten, however, by the thousands of people around the country who are facing repossession. Will the Leader indicate whether the legislation is due to be brought before this House before the summer recess? If so, when will we receive copies of the Bill in order that we can analyse it before it comes up for debate?