Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Ar dtús, chuir an Teachta ceist orm faoi thuarascáil Grant Thornton i leith rud éigin eile. Tá a fhios ag gach duine, mar a luaigh mé sa Dáil le cúpla lá anuas agus níos mó ná uair amháin, go caithfidh an fhaisnéis iomlán a bheith ag duine sula mbeidh sé in ann réiteach a dhéanamh nó rún a mholadh faoi chúrsaí morgáiste do dhuine atá i dtrioblóid. Sin an fáth gur chuir an Rialtas dlí i bhfeidhm agus gur leag sé amach coinníollacha eile do na bancanna i dtreo agus go dtiocfaidh siad ar réiteach do gach duine. Níl sé i gceist go mbeidh duine caite lasmuigh de na coinníollacha sin ach is gá go mbeidh an fhaisnéis iomlán ag an duine agus an banc le teacht ar réiteach.

Deputy Adams asked about the Grant Thornton report and the difficulties and challenges people face. Everybody understands the economic challenges so many families in this country have had to face because of the catastrophic situation left behind by an incompetent Government. I would not believe all the reports one reads in the papers. I am sure Deputy Adams does not. This Government has signed on to meet particular objectives and targets and we will not shirk that responsibility, but we do not intend to go beyond it. A fundamental aspect of the programme for Government is that there will not be any income tax increases. Deputy Adams's assertion that people will be faced with that is untrue. This will be vindicated by the Minister for Finance as part of the programme for Government when he presents his budget on 15 October. It is very challenging.

I note this week's reports that consumer confidence is at its highest level for the last six years, with an average of 3,000 jobs per month being created, and we have had 14 consecutive months of drops in the live register. Unemployment has fallen from 15.5% to 13.2%, which is not where we want it to be, but it is significant progress.

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