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

Could I also extend a welcome to the lads from Portlaoise. Fáilte. It is great to see them here.

I am glad that the Taoiseach recognises that there has been a succession of hikes in mortgage interest rates. Some people are paying a rate of 8% and there are further hikes in prospect. I am sure the Taoiseach does not contest that. The ECB will meet on Thursday week. For mortgage holders who are now struggling, it is a matter of great fear and anxiety that they are going to see yet another hike. The question then arises of what to do about it. If I heard the Taoiseach correctly, his position is that mortgage holders are simply to sit tight until September or October. I put it to the Taoiseach that that is a wholly unrealistic ask of households in the grip of a cost-of-living crisis where we have the highest electricity costs across Europe. I am sure the Taoiseach knows and would acknowledge that people are struggling, so simply to say to them to sit tight and hold tight is not an acceptable response from the Government. I have asked the Taoiseach to support our proposal, which will go to a vote this evening. If he is not going to support our proposal, what is he going to do now-----

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