Mr. John O'Beirne:

I might break the question into two parts and deal first with how the bank assesses individuals and borrowers as they come in to ensure we can provide a sustainable mortgage. I will then talk about the help-to-buy scheme, to which I think the Deputy is referring. On the affordability side, the key for us, as we have seen over the course of mortgage lending in Ireland, is to ensure we provide an affordable and sustainable mortgage. When people come in, we work through what position they are in. We work through what income they have, what is sustainable, what expenses do they have and what does that lead to in terms of an affordable mortgage. Of those who proceed to a full application, we approve nine out of ten mortgage applicants.