Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

It is appropriate to discuss the issue in this House, it is appropriate for the Government to take action, it is appropriate that the financial institutions should take their responsibility and that both Opposition and Government Members serving on various joint committees should continue to highlight the issue. The bottom line is that people are benefiting from the mortgage interest supplement and more will do so. As it is a demand-led scheme for those who qualify, there is no question of it not being made available to people.

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