Liam Twomey (Fine Gael)

I thank Senator O'Toole for agreeing to sharing time. Much of the motion is acceptable to most Members on both sides of the House. It should have been incorporated into the Government's motion. I am sad that this was not done. The Minister of State presented figures to suggest there is no problem but significant problems exist. The Minister of State should consider the percentage of take-home pay required to pay off mortgages. Income is dropping, as is take-home income, and they must now pay a greater percentage of take-home pay in order to hold on to their houses. To dismiss the idea that there is a problem is an insult to those who are trying to hold onto their homes. There may be a small number of people going to jail or whose House has been legally repossessed but many have handed back the keys and many have reached an agreement with the banks. Many are in dire straits and sacrificing other things, such as presents for their children and quality of life, in order to hold on to their House. For the Minister of State to talk as if there is no problem is an insult to such people——