No Consent No Sale motion passed at Louth County Council meeting

A motion calling on the Government to facilitate the quick passage of the No Consent, No Sale bill through the remaining legislative stages, was passed at last Monday's Louth County Council meeting.

The motion was brought forward by Sinn Féin cllr David Saurin. Opposition was voiced by a number of councillors against the motion.

Cllr Peter Savage queried would the legislation affect people looking for loans or mortgages, and also asked at the meeting, “what about someone who can afford but doesn't pay their bills?”

Cllr Emma Coffey, remarking that “whilst this is admirable [Cllr Saurin's motion]”...”I would have reservations” and she wondered if the legislation would have a “detrimental effect” on people applying for a mortgage.

Responding to Cllr Savage, Cllr Saurin said that no one was suggesting loan forgiveness for those who refuse to pay and remarked that he could not see how the legislation would affect loan seekers.

The main point of the bill, Cllr Saurin said, was to deal with vulture funds hence his desire to “get this bill into law as quickly as possible”.

Following contributions from a number of other councillors, Cllr Saurin's motion was passed by 13 votes to eight. Those who voted against were all Fine Gael or Fianna Fáil councillors, with those voting for the motion being from other parties and Independent members.