Home-buyers are once again overstretching themselves with outsized mortgages in the fresh frenzy to get on the property ladder.

IRELAND is highly unlikely to default on its burgeoning national debt despite a second downgrading in 90 days of the state’s sovereign debt rating.

THE stockbroking arms of the two largest Irish banks yesterday, independently of each other, simultaneously recommended the shares in the rival financial institution as a “buy.”

IRISH Life and Permanent remains a firm favourite with brokers despite announcing a 40% decrease in life insurance products.