Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 1:

In page 14, lines 10 to 14, to delete all words from and including “in accordance with” in line 10 down to and including line 14.

I gave notice on Second Stage of my intention to table this amendment. This issue has been raised with us by those working for people in debt. The problem is that making compliance with the MARP code of conduct on mortgage arrears a pre-condition of availing of a court review is actually empowering the banks. The Central Bank recently published a scathing report showing that the banks were failing abysmally to live up to the code of conduct. We must recall that in connivance with the Central Bank, this Government has facilitated a watering-down of the code of conduct at the very time a strong code was needed. By removing this pre-condition, which is ultimately a veto for the banks, the playing field would be made more level and this is essential at this stage.