Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fail)

It is very important. We raise this in support of the Cathaoirleach and not to criticise him.

We need an urgent debate on mortgages and not with the Minister of State, Deputy Penrose. He set this fire alight in regard to mortgages during the summer when we said there would be debt forgiveness. He clearly was not speaking with any expertise or on behalf of his Department. We do not want to discuss two pilot schemes in regard to mortgage to rent. We want to discuss the Keane report with the Minister for Finance, if he is available. I would be happy with the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, who is a relatively senior Minister of State. That debate is very urgent.

The Government has let the people down. Fine Gael made a specific promise on mortgage interest relief of €166 per month. Tens of thousands of people voted for Fine Gael because of that promise alone. That promise was like the promises given to taxi drivers and Eircom shareholders but people were so vulnerable and in such a bad way that they believed the promise. It was like the promises made in regard to Roscommon and Blanchardstown hospitals.