Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 November 2017
59. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 214 of 7 November 2017, the reason a case falls into categories (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48482/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra60. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 214 of 7 November 2017, if standard variable rate mortgage holders will be part of this review under the criteria. [48483/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra61. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 214 of 7 November 2017, if persons who, after a fixed rate period expired and they were entitled to a tracker rate, were intentionally or negligently offered a higher tracker rate than what was offered in the original loan offer letter (details supplied); and if these persons will be included in the review. [48484/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 59 to 61, inclusive, together.
As I advised the Deputy in my answer to her previous question, the Central Bank, as the regulator with the appropriate powers, is the institution responsible for conducting an industry-wide examination of tracker mortgage-related issues. The Central Bank has committed that all affected customers will be identified and that it will use the full range of its regulatory powers to ensure that they receive redress and compensation.
The Central Bank have stated that the review encompasses all mortgages in respect of both Private Dwelling Houses and Buy-to-Let properties that i) originated on tracker interest rates; ii) had tracker interest rates applied at any stage during the term of the underlying mortgage agreements; and/or iii) where the underlying mortgage agreements provided for contractual rights to or options for tracker interest rates at any stage during the term of the agreements.
As the Deputy will understand, I am not in a position to comment on specific customers or groups of customers. The Central Bank have clearly outlined the scope of their examination, and it will be up to them to determine, through deliberations with the banks involved, which customers it deems to have been impacted. Investigations by the Central Bank are statutorily mandated and can lead to significant sanctions. Therefore, as Minister for Finance, I must be cautious not to jeopardise any potential enforcement actions or prosecutions, and refrain from comment on any particular customer or group of customers whose case is under review as part of the ongoing process.
I expect this aspect of the examination to be finalised as soon as possible, in order to minimise the uncertainty for such customers, and for redress and compensation for further identified impacted customers to swiftly follow.
