Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

The Leas-Cheann Comhairle might protect me.

It is important we challenge IBEC's statement that social welfare payments should not be immune from cutbacks. There is a new poor which all Members are aware of in their constituencies. They are people who were in good jobs until recently and kept up with their mortgage repayments but who now find themselves under pressure. I am sympathetic to the points made in the Private Members' business motion but the Minister of State's speech did address some of these. We need to represent those who find themselves challenged by their banks on mortgage repayments.

The Minister of State referred to MABS which reminded me to mention Tallaght.

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