Jimmy Harte (Labour)

I welcome back the Leader, Senator Cummins.

I agree fully with Senator O'Brien on mortgages. I listened this morning to people outlining their difficulties on the Pat Kenny show. It is a nationwide issue, not just one that arises in rural and urban areas. People are affected drastically and suffer at the end of the month.

The one point I heard today that I did not understand is that some financial institutions are refusing to move people's direct debit dates. One individual said his account was debited on the 20th day of the month although he did not receive his pay at that time. The man's bank flatly refused to move the date to the end of the month when he asked it to do so. I cannot understand how an institution should be so defiant and illogical. I ask that the Minister or an official talk to the bank and ask whether individuals such as the man in question could not be accommodated. It is a very simple matter. The mortgage issue is the biggest issue in the country at present. I hope we can have a resolution as quickly as possible.

My question for the Leader is similar to that of Senator Brennan. I concerns the European championships in two weeks, to which 40,000 Irish fans may travel. I am going myself. I have spoken to many who are going and am told about the roaming charges that will be incurred in Poland and, if the team is successful, the Ukraine. Eircom and O2 should come forward and say that for the first ten days of the championship, Irish supporters travelling to Europe will have free texts. The companies will make a lot of money from fans ringing their wives, whom they will miss, at 10 p.m.