Michael McGrath: Mortgage bill will make the banks play ball

There is need for provision for protecting customers who are most vulnerable

Last Wednesday evening saw what has up to now been a relatively rare event in the Irish politics. An opposition bill passed second stage in the Dáil despite reservations being expressed by the government. This outcome is a reflection of the new political reality that no single grouping commands a parliamentary majority which allows it to dominate political discourse.

The bill I introduced on behalf of Fianna Fáil is designed to deal with ...