Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The banks I asked the Tánaiste about regard, for instance, voluntary surrender or eviction - the euphemism is "repossession" - as sustainable solutions for families in mortgage distress. In what framework could anybody understand voluntary surrender or eviction to be sustainable solutions for any family? We are faced already with a chronic housing and homelessness crisis right across the State.

The Tánaiste offered in her response simply tea and sympathy for these families - even that was fairly lukewarm. She is not offering solutions. I put it to her, because this is the bottom line for tens of thousands of families across the State, that it is about debt write-down.

See this speech in context