First off you cannot go bankrupt in Ireland, only very rich people can do that.
Secondly the new Insolvency bill which has been written by the banks, well I wouldn't be relying on that either.
So what are your options. The banks are not being real, they are pushing the can down the road. How do you force them to get real. Maybe you cannot. But you have to take control.
Option 1. Give up your jobs. Then you cannot afford anything and then the banks will have to deal with you. They will not do anything until you do something. If you continue to play ball all you are doing is digging a bigger hole for yourself. This hole is one of mounting debt, family fights, depression and a never ending cycle of who to pay next and how am I going to get the money for the next bill. I imagine this is where you are at currently. No doubt your relief at your husband getting a job meant you thought for a while you were getting back on track. Unfortunately with your debts on track you are not.
Option 2. UK bankruptcy.
This is the option I would take. 12 to 18 months and start again. Yes give up the good jobs. So what. Yes it's a hardship for a while, but what's 18 months where there is some light when where you are now I can see no end to misery. Personally I'd be happy to walk away from the financial mess you are in and give up my good job and go get a cleaning job or work in a pub because anything is better than where you are at.
Option 3. New insolvency bill. This is a myth perpetrated by the government that it will solve things. Not a chance. So far one person (David Hall) has called a spade a spade.
Option 4. You get your banks to agree to you selling the 2 investment properties and letting you off the negative equity. So far no one has demonstrated that banks are willing to do this.
Emma would you be better off on the dole? Do you have any money to pay, say your next bill ? Is shopping for groceries difficult.
There is a very interesting story at the moment of the Roscommon couple who are about to lose their home. A lot of people should read that. To summarise, if you cannot pay your mortgages, eventually the bank will take everything they can. They will wait, give you false hope (where you Emma are right now with them pretending to play ball by allowing you interest only etc) but they will come after you the minute you have anything.
Sorry if this is negative. It actually isn't because you actually have options and all you need is the strength to take the option.