Government continues to sanction Receivership as a ‘licence for theft’ – McGrath

Independent TD Mattie McGrath has called on the Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald to facilitate an emergency Dáil debate on the wide-spread practice of intimidation and threats being carried out by unregulated mortgage receivers. Deputy McGrath was speaking after the Master of the High Court Edmond Honohan delivered a scathing condemnation of the current receivership regime when he equated it to a licence for theft:

“The judgement delivered by the Master of the High Court is a damning indictment of the appalling lack of political and judicial will to defend and vindicate the rights of mortgage holders against ruthless receivers.

As part of his Judgment in the matter of Danske Bank V Patrick and Bridget McGeeney the Master acknowledged that receivers are employing menacing tactics essentially with the blessing of the State.

There is a completely baffling lack of political will to face the reality of this problem when day in and day out there are cases coming before the courts which demonstrate the terrifying  and bullying tactics that receivers are employing.

The Minister has been questioned in the Dáil about this matter several times and indeed I have put the Taoiseach on notice of it countless times over the last number of years; yet nothing has changed.

Official Ireland is turning a blind eye to the almost Mafia like activities of these receivers; activities which the Master of the High Court must be commended for publicly highlighting,” concluded Deputy McGrath.