Mortgage debt crisis tops agenda

THE mortgage debt crisis forced its way to the top of the political agenda as the Coalition was accused of appearing confused over how to deal with it.

The release of figures showing that 55,000 mortgages were more than three months in arrears — with the figure rising to 95,000 when re-structured debts are taken into account — saw the issue dominate the week.

Fianna Fáil attacked the Government for sending out conflicting signals after Junior Finance Minister Brian Hayes appeared to dismiss a role for the part or wholly nationalised banks in dealing with the crisis.