Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

Last week, we placed a motion on the Order Paper to annul the legislation enacted two weeks ago which barred applicants from obtaining mortgage interest supplement. The Chief Whip has said we must discuss the motion in Private Members' time. However, we can only annul the legislation within the first 21 days, so are we to stand idly by while this is taken away from the applicants who need it most? I do not believe it should be Private Members' business. It is something we put before the Government and we have asked it to respond. Can the Government not respond positively and allow us to debate this issue? It means that those who cannot acquire it now must wait 12 months to do a deal with a bank in order to apply for it. It is writing away the rights and assistance that were available to people for the past number of years and the tough times we are living through. It is also cheaper than the rent supplement, which the Government states is available.

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