Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I did not interrupt the Deputy when he spoke last night. If I was him, I would be embarrassed by Fianna Fáil's record in government. This is not about punishing people. It is about making sure we have people living in their own homes and that banks behave responsibly and work with and not become disengaged from ordinary people who, in the majority of cases, are trying to make an honourable settlement in the realignment of their mortgages. We all accept it is difficult.

We cannot scapegoat the ordinary person regarding mortgages. We must make sure that they are worked with and that the banks fulfil the obligations they have as outlined by Government. We have seen the targets set by the Government. Let us give them a chance to work. I see people in my office every week, be they from small or medium-sized enterprises or family homeowners trying not just to salvage their family homes but to preserve and protect their family life as well. That is the most important thing. We must work in unison to ensure the family home is protected.

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