Banks need to treat people in arrears fairly - Nolan

An Offaly TD is one of a group of independent deputies set to meet bank officials next week to discuss housing evictions and other debt resolution issues.

Deputy Carol Nolan and her Dail colleagues Mattie McGrath and Michael Collins are scheduled to meet officials from KBC bank next Wednesday, January 9.

The three TDS were among a group of activists who occupied KBC last month to protest at the bank's treatment of its customers in arrears.

Speaking to the Offaly Independent this week, Deputy Nolan said that housing evictions will be just one of the issues that she will be raising at the meeting.

“It [the meeting] is in relation to evictions and debt resolution and the fact that the banks, including KBC, don't engage with people who are genuinely making every effort they can to come to reasonable solutions and resolutions to their issues with mortgages, and indeed farms as well.

 “What we are trying to do is support people who are engaging with the banks and asking the banks for them to be treated fairly."

 Deputy Nolan also revealed that she would not be joining her former Sinn Fein colleague Peadar Toibin's new political movement and will be running as an Independent in the next general election.

Both TDs left Sinn Fein last year in protest at its pro-choice stance after they were suspended for voting against abortion legislation in the Dail.