Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to warmly welcome the Minister of State to the House. He has become a regular visitor here. As far as I am aware, although I am open to correction, he is the only Minister or Minister of State in my eight years in this House to have initiated a Bill prior to entering office and then come to the House to bring it over the line. This is the second time in a matter of weeks that the Minister of State has had that unique distinction. That is a phenomenal achievement because it comes from having a finger on the pulse of the people who need the help of politicians and the Government more than anybody else, those who do the right thing, engage, embrace the system, talk to banks but find themselves in the awful position of not being co-operated with.

I agree with Senator Clifford-Lee in regard to vulture funds. What went on in this country was appalling whereby we allowed banks to sell to vulture funds which had no compunction whatsoever in terms of how they dealt with people. They lacked any kind of decency or humanity. The vast majority of people who end up in such situations want to do the right thing as best they can. The Bill proposes giving them the protection of the State when they try to do the right thing. It certainly does not accommodate those who refuse to engage or are trying to circumvent the system in some way.

It is not a large Bill, but, as I often say, small is beautiful. It will potentially make a phenomenal difference to people's lives in real terms. I am delighted that Fianna Fáil is not opposing the passage of the Bill on Second Stage. I suspect none of our other honourable colleagues will do so either. If there are issues that need to be looked at, that can be done on Committee Stage. However, the genesis of what the Minister of State was trying to achieve in his Private Members' Bill and which the Government is now trying to achieve through this Bill is what we all should want to do as politicians.

Irish people are very proud of their homes. We have one of the highest rates of home ownership in the world per head of population. People invest most of their hard-earned money into acquiring and maintaining a house which becomes a home. Most people want to hold onto their home at all costs. Financial institutions should not be allowed to unilaterally disregard the genuine efforts of decent, honourable, hardworking people who find themselves in a difficult situation. I welcome the Bill and look forward to its passage through the House in the not-too-distant future, becoming law and being signed by the President. There is not much more to say except that it is excellent legislation and I sincerely hope that it does not fly under the radar of the public and the media. The media are discussing the work being done by the Government in responding to the needs of people. Yes, we have a lot to do, but this legislation is responding to the needs of the most vulnerable in our society, those who could become homeless as a result of a lack of co-operation by financial institutions. I wish the passage of the Bill every success. I will certainly endeavour to ensure that there is no obstacle on the Fine Gael side to its passing through the House in as swift a time as possible.