Noonan: Mortgage debt problem 'a priority' for Govt

The Finance Minister Michael Noonan has said a major report on the problem of mortgage debts will be "a priority" for the Government when it is completed next month.

Representatives from the Departments of Finance, Social Protection and Environment, as well as the banks, are working on the document which Minister Noonan expects will be ready in three weeks' time.

Cabinet ministers discussed the problem at Government buildings yesterday, but won't make concrete decisions until they get the report.

Speaking this morning, Minister Noonan said he could not give a definite timeline for a Government response to it, but said it is high on the agenda.