Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In common with others, I welcome the beginning of Commencement debates. That will make us more efficient that we were when we had the former practice of Adjournment debates. I agree with Senator Darragh O'Brien on the proposal for mortgage applicants to provide a 20% deposit. That is unrealistic and not related to the market. A figure of 10% to 15% would be much more appropriate, with a cap of 3.5 times the combined salaries of applicants. I also agree with the comments of my colleague, Senator D'Arcy, regarding Mr. Jim Cusack, whom I met about another matter at a lunchtime meeting in the House today.

I think what has happened up there as regards fuel smugglers dumping that waste into the streams-----