Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

In the three years since I was elected, people have said that they cannot afford a mortgage. They cannot get one. Now, we cannot afford the houses, regardless of the loan-to-income ratios. It still does not meet the requirement. My point is that the Central Bank was a little late with the review. Albeit that it may be welcome, it is of little benefit because the interest rates have taken up many people's surplus income. There are many individuals on very small tracker mortgages who have experienced increases that have led to them paying €100 a month extra. That is a lot of money to some.