Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if there will be protections in place under the personal insolvency arrangements to guard against a scenario (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49818/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me to comment on any individual case. However, I would suggest that any individual who finds themselves in circumstances such as those referred to by the Deputy should continue to actively engage with their mortgage lender in an effort to reach an acceptable settlement.

I should mention that the provisions of the Personal Insolvency Bill 2012 will, when enacted and fully operational, provide greater flexibility for persons in dealing with their financial difficulties. In particular, the Personal Insolvency Arrangement (PIA) in the Bill, allows for the settlement of secured debts, such as mortgage debt. Section 100 of the Bill as passed by the Dáil on 7 November 2012, provides for the treatment of the principal private residence in a PIA.