Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

We are serious about the best possible response for those who cannot meet their mortgage repayments, with 800,000 mortgages in place and 100,000 having difficulties, and it is in respect of those that the commission looked at the question and made recommendations. I want to hear the response of all Deputies on the best solution. The Minister for Finance is giving everyone the opportunity to have their views expressed and will take all of those, including existing structures, the contents of the report and any other new ideas, and draw them all together and give a Government response. The Deputy will publish his Bill today but I do not know what is in it. There will be a two day debate next week on the mortgage report and taking that in conjunction with the Deputy's Bill, we can have a proper discussion of the situation facing so many people. I cannot second guess what might be in Deputy McGrath's Bill, no more than people can second guess the implications of the contents of the recommendations in the report. I assure the Deputy that the Government is taking this seriously and will act quickly. In the interests of everyone who sees constituents with such problems we should act swiftly and responsibly. I would like to hear the views of Members of all parties about this.

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