asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he proposes to sanction an increase in mortgage rates of building societies.
70.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Mortgage Interest Rates.
69.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he proposes to take any action to prevent an increase in mortgage interest rates by the building societies; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
71.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware of the possibility of an increase in mortgage interest rates by building societies; and if in view of the widespread unease being caused he will make a statement on the matter?
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 69, 70 and 71 together.
The whole matter is being examined by the Minister for Local Government who will in future deal with matters of this kind which directly affect the provision of housing.
Will the Minister give any indication if there is an application before his Department for an increase in the mortgage interest rates charged by those societies? I do not think it is good enough to say that this is not a concern of his Department. The sanction must come from the Department of Industry and Commerce.
I am afraid I have not got that information here.
I am anxious for information. I have not got any reply.
Perhaps the Deputy would address the question to the Minister for Local Government.
Hitherto it has been directed to the Minister for Industry and Commerce who has supplied the relevant information because it concerns his Department. I do not think it is good enough now to pass the buck and I propose with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to raise the matter on the Adjournment.
The Deputy's request cannot be considered today. We have already a question on the Adjournment dealing with this matter.
May I raise it again on Tuesday?
The Deputy can give notice on a future date.
Can the Minister for Lands tell us when the Minister for Industry and Commerce shed his responsibility in this regard and if he is aware of the hardship being imposed on people? It is very little use telling us that the Minister for Local Government is now going to deal with it. When did the Minister for Industry and Commerce shed his responsibility in this matter?
It is now in any case a matter for the Minister for Local Government.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary——
The Minister.
Yes, we forgot that in view of the nature of your reply. Arising out of the Minister's reply could he tell us when exactly discussions were held with the Department of Local Government? These requests previously came to the Department of Industry and Commerce. In view of the fact that the Minister for Industry and Commerce no longer deals with these questions, did his Ministry hold any discussions with the Minister for Local Government or is the Department of Industry and Commerce remotely interested in the problem of an increase in these mortgage rates which will mean disaster for literally thousands of young married couples up and down the country?
I have stated that this is a matter now for the Minister for Local Government and, if the Deputy will direct his question to the Minister for Local Government, he will get a reply.
As far as you are concerned you know nothing about it?
Question No. 72.
One moment. Does not ordinary courtesy dictate that, if a question is addressed to the inappropriate Minister, you should be informed in order that a direction might be given to the general office to transfer the question to the appropriate Minister? That courtesy seems to have been overlooked on the part of the Minister for Industry and Commerce in connection with these three questions.
Since the question was accepted by the Minister for Industry and Commerce, to whom it was addressed, it was no function of the Chair to interfere.
Was it not the function of the Minister for Industry and Commerce to inform the Chair through the officers of the Dáil that the question was inappropriately addressed to the Minister for Industry and Commerce inasmuch as by a Government decision responsibility for this matter had been transferred to the Minister for Local Government?
That has been the practice.
One of those questions is in my name. Can the Minister explain why the Minister for Industry and Commerce cannot reply in view of the fact that when this same situation arose about one and a half years ago the Minister for Industry and Commerce did reply to the question?
That is true but it has been since transferred to the Minister for Local Government.
Since when?
Very recently.
Yesterday?
Question No. 72.
I trust the Minister will tender his apologies to the Ceann Comhairle in due course.
They are too arrogant to do that.
We are most courteous.