Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)

This is the Government that has reneged on its promise to give hard pressed mortgage holders an extra benefit of €166 net per month, based on a €300,000 mortgage, while its Taoiseach and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform - it would be funny if it was not so serious - will proceed with the dual abode allowance and claim for themselves. I move an amendment to the Order of Business, to call for the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Brendan Howlin, to come to the House and answer questions as to why this Government will continue the dual abode allowance, which will cost taxpayers thousands of euro, while it is still not dealing with the mortgage crisis.

I will get an opportunity to discuss the fact that the Government has also reneged on the commitment to introduce legislation to ensure the banks pass on interest rate cuts by the ECB when the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, comes to the House later this afternoon. I will reserve my questions until then.