Michael Mullins (Fine Gael)

The problem is that the banks are not lending to people who are in permanent, full-time secure employment so that they can purchase homes. I ask the Leader to make some arrangement for consultation with representatives of the banks to see what progress they are making in freeing up badly needed finance for people who wish to purchase their own homes. Many affordable homes are available but people cannot get mortgages. I have been contacted by people in my own constituency who have permanent full-time jobs, and some also have land, but they cannot get money from the banks. Despite what the banks are telling us, the money is not flowing. We need to do something about this.

I ask the Leader to liaise with the Minister for Finance so that we can have a briefing, at an early stage, as to what progress is being made to force the banks to lend to legitimate borrowers.