Businessman David Hall is concerned that the finance minister continues to have “unlimited powers” to spend public monies in support of financial institutions “without any reference to the Dáil”, the Supreme Court heard yesterday.

Groups assisting those in mortgage arrears have described, as “frightening”, figures showing more than one in 10 people now over 90 days behind on repayments.

A businessman has claimed in a High Court action that the Government's decision to issue €30bn worth of promissory notes to financial institutions Anglo Irish Bank, Educational Building Society and Irish Nationwide Building Society is unlawful.