Arthur Spring (Kerry North-West Limerick, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I asked that question because of the housing crisis that currently exists in the country. It is unbelievable that we are talking about this three years later and how things have changed. As regards the affordability of houses, we are now back to 100% mortgages and stamp duty is being paid again. The banks are doing a great job of repairing their own balance sheets following the increases on the property side and because the contingent liabilities are being compressed on the other side. The share price is going up as well. Overall, therefore, the banks are weathering this storm whereas a new generation will be put into what I consider to be an inappropriate amount of debt to purchase a fundamental item like a house. That needs to be addressed by Professor Honohan's own institution.