Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The number of people in mortgage difficulty is growing, not decreasing. It is pretty obvious that anything the banks are doing in this area is not substantial enough. The decision not to give people mortgage interest supplement when they need it will drive more of them into it. They are not getting the money when they need it. The supplement is being offered after 12 months, but many of these people will lose their homes in the next 12 months and it will not be any good to them. There is no logic in not helping people who could work their way of their difficulties. It was fine to give €67 billion to the banks, but the Government will not help people retain their homes by giving them a bit of relief when they need it, and not later after they lose their homes.

See this speech in context