Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)

In light of the forthcoming budget, I ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance to find ways of supporting hard-pressed families with massive lifetime mortgages. A number of families have brought this to my attention. In recent years they have created huge revenues for this Government and built our economy. For example, they have bought new homes and 42% of the cost of a new home comprises various taxes which go to the Government's coffers. The Government now has a responsibility to these families who are coming under increasing pressure to meet their commitments with announcements of job losses, food and cost of living increases, including the cost of petrol, diesel and heating oil, and four interest rate hikes in a year. There are threatened cuts in child care support.

The Government is back-pedalling on tax reductions made in election promises. The Government should not be allowed to renege on such major promises around which families have made plans. Can a family renege on a 35-year mortgage and hold on to their home like this Government can renege on an election promise?