Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is a positive thing. He speaks about the human cost of the economic recovery. Not enough research is done in that area. He says what really matters is the lived experience of our families, communities and people with disabilities. I could not agree with him more.

There have been 4,500 repossession orders this year in Ireland, 307 of which were in Galway. This is foolishly adding to the homelessness toll. If that is not lived experience that will go deep into the psyche of our families and our children, then what is?

I have a question on this. Can the Leader confirm that judges are allowed to adjudicate on home repossession cases involving banks in which they have personal financial interests? This is a serious question. If that is true, as a matter of urgency, I want the Leader to ask the Minister for Justice and Equality to ensure that as a matter of good practice, judges disclose any connections or personal interest they have with banks in cases they are adjudicating on. There is a precedent in this area. Judges do not adjudicate in cases involving companies in which they have shares. It is in the public interest that members of our Judiciary do not adjudicate on cases involving banks unless, at the very least, they have disclosed their own personal financial interests.