Michael Mullins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I agree with much of what was said by Senator Craughwell about mortgages. We all understand the situation he outlined. Those of us who are a little advanced in years recall the torture we had to go through to secure a loan for a home years ago. We need to ensure we have a balance in the mortgage arena, but we do not want to disincentivise young people from owning their homes. I support the call for a full debate in the House and I believe it would be appropriate. We never want to see a repeat of a situation in which banks were offering people unlimited cash to buy jeeps, second homes, home fit-outs or landscaping - loans they would never be in a position to repay.

I join in the good wishes to our new ambassador to the Holy See, Emma Madigan. As one who campaigned strongly for our embassy to the Holy See to be reopened, I was pleased to hear that she presented her credentials to the Holy Father in Rome this week. I look forward to the reopening of the embassy in the near future.

I wish to draw the attention of Members to a document presented to us yesterday, entitled Winter Ready, which was published by the Office of Emergency Planning and the Department of Defence in conjunction with various State agencies and local authorities. The document provides sound, solid advice to citizens on how to prepare for severe weather conditions in the home, on the roads, on farms and in schools. I know we will probably not get the opportunity to discuss this document in the House, but as Members we should e-mail it as widely as possible because many people do not prepare properly for severe weather conditions. Many lives could be saved and much hardship reduced by proper planning. I commend the document to everybody as an essential read, particularly for the elderly. It is incumbent on all of us to publicise its contents and help people prepare for the coming months.