Michael Mullins (Fine Gael)

I join the Deputy Leader in welcoming the progress the Government has made in addressing the issue of personal insolvency, personal debt and mortgage distress. I am surprised at the negative tone of Senator Darragh O'Brien, given a very positive contribution by his party's justice spokesperson on "Morning Ireland" this morning when he very much welcomed the heads of the Bill and rightly indicated that he will be proposing some amendments during the course of the Bill's passage.

This leads me on to a very prestigious housing affordability study which indicates that housing prices are now back within the reach of ordinary workers for the first time in a long time. During the madness of the Celtic tiger an ordinary home cost ten times the average industrial wage, whereas it is now back within three times the average industrial wage.

The Leader will be pleased to know that the most affordable place in Ireland to purchase a home is Waterford. I am sure his colleague will also be pleased to hear that. It is closely followed by Galway, Cork and then Dublin and Limerick. This should be exceptionally good news, particularly for people who have full-time permanent jobs and are in secure employment. However, there is a problem.