Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

With reference to the measures adopted in other jurisdictions, the Government will examine ways of expanding its own mortgage measures. A range of options and efforts will be made to assist in every way possible. As regards a moratorium being put in all cases concerning mortgage repayments, it is a question of being able to distinguish between those who are not in a position to pay and those who are refusing to pay, despite perhaps having an ability to pay or pay an amount of it. That issue would have to be considered in the context of any amendment that is put forward, to ensure that, on the one hand, we seek to protect people in difficulty while, on the other, not compromising funding support for those institutions on an ongoing basis.

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