A bill making it mandatory for a court to consider a home owner's personal circumstances before a repossession order can be issued has passed all stages in the Dáil.
The Land and Conveyancing Law Reform (Amendment) Bill was proposed by Independent Alliance Minister Kevin 'Boxer' Moran.
The bill means that courts would have to take into account the circumstances of the borrower and their dependents.
Speaking after the bill passed, Mr Moran said he had met many people who found themselves in mortgage arrears before he came into office.
"This is a very important piece of legislation that a lot of people are looking for," Mr Moran said.
Sinn Féin's justice spokesman Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire had raised concerns that the bill would not apply retrospectively.
However, Mr Moran said the bill would apply to all proceedings brought by a mortgage holder.
