Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will absolutely engage to get some more answers for Senator Mulherin. We will address some of the questions to the Department of Finance. I cannot comment for that Department but we will certainly engage with the Department of Finance.

Senator Mulherin is right to say a poor credit rating is not a life sentence. It can be cleaned up and corrected over time. Time is a great healer in this regard. Banks are in a position to make judgments on the existing record of people and how they are handling their affairs at present. It is important that people know that.

We went through difficult times when probably everyone was affected in some way by what happened. It is not that long ago, although most people seem to have forgotten it. It was only seven or eight years ago when some of the people I met while out knocking on doors were concerned for the future of the country. Thankfully, this has been turned around but there are still many individuals who have difficulties. They are still dealing with legacy debts from the past.We need to help them through that journey and get them back on the right track.