Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This is the level of ambition the Government expects from all banks, whether State-owned or not. These commitments to helping people who are in unsustainable debt are not just social obligations on the Government. It is critical that the issue of mortgage debt is addressed because we cannot sustain a situation where more than 100,000 families could be effectively excluded from participation in the economic recovery. I will now deal with the tax proposals in the budget.

Pensions

I will begin with the area of Government policy on pensions. The pensions sector is a very important part of the financial services industry in Ireland and provides a service to enable people to make provision for their retirement and old age. As it is in everyone’s best interest, the Government wishes to encourage as many citizens as possible to continue to invest in pension schemes.

See this speech in context