Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I remind Fianna Fáil and the Government parties that there would not be a compulsion to hold by-elections within six months if Deputy Pearse Doherty had not gone to court to bring this about. The Taoiseach has been in government for two years and the number of families in mortgage arrears has almost doubled. Contrary to what he said, the Government has taken a softly, softly attitude to the banks. He did not need yesterday's report to show that the salaries of top bankers were too high, yet he is only proposing a 10% cut. The big issue is that he has given the banks a veto over any arrangements reached through the personal insolvency services. The record shows that the banks are unwilling to deal compassionately or efficiently with citizens in mortgage arrears. On top of all this, this week householders are receiving letters from Revenue about the tax on the family home. This tax was designed by Fianna Fáil and is now being delivered by Fine Gael and the Labour Party. It is a very unfair tax.

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