Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)

-----and Kieran Mulvey for their leadership and the rational manner in which they pursued the negotiations. In the interest of the country, I hope there will be a positive outcome.

I ask the Leader to consider inviting the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Deputy Ó Cuív, to address the House in light of the report in today's newspapers on the dramatic increase in the mortgage subsidies administered by his Department from €6 million in 2005 to more than €70 million. The irony is the subsidy is being paid to the banks because it is intended to aid those who are suffering mortgage distress. It is inevitable that the increases to mortgage rates over the next six to 12 months will mean that more families will be affected by negative equity or unable to meet their mortgage obligations. In a restrictive budgetary context, this is a very serious matter and it would be helpful if the Minister could outline to the House how his Department intends to address this ticking timebomb for families and mortgage holders.