Dúirt an Taoiseach nach bhfuil sé sásta. Inné, d'ardaigh mé anailís Grant Thornton leis, go bhfuil níos mó ná míle cásanna d'anacair morgáiste, a thaispeánann nach bhfuil pingin rua fágtha ag teaghlaigh lena gcuid morgáistí a íoc ag deireadh na míosa.

The Taoiseach said he was not satisfied with the situation, but when I asked him yesterday to give a commitment to ensure that no family in mortgage distress would be excluded from the insolvency process because they could not pay up-front, he refused. Grant Thornton released another report today showing the enormous burden on low and middle-income families. A family earning €40,000 per year is €6,000 per year worse off under the Taoiseach's Government. Fianna Fáil, obviously, the Labour Party and Fine Gael have done this to struggling families.

Deputy Adams has also made families struggle.

It is reported that the Economic Management Council will meet today to discuss the total level of adjustment in this year's budget. The people listening today want to know how the budget will affect them. Will they have less money to feed their families, pay their bills and cover their mortgages? Will austerity rule once again? The Taoiseach must believe that low and middle-income families have no more left to give. Austerity is not working for them. On the cusp of the Economic Management Council meeting, I ask the Taoiseach to give a commitment that budget 2014 will not add to the pain and hardship of these families.

Ar dtús, chuir an Teachta ceist orm faoi thuarascáil Grant Thornton i leith rud éigin eile. Tá a fhios ag gach duine, mar a luaigh mé sa Dáil le cúpla lá anuas agus níos mó ná uair amháin, go caithfidh an fhaisnéis iomlán a bheith ag duine sula mbeidh sé in ann réiteach a dhéanamh nó rún a mholadh faoi chúrsaí morgáiste do dhuine atá i dtrioblóid. Sin an fáth gur chuir an Rialtas dlí i bhfeidhm agus gur leag sé amach coinníollacha eile do na bancanna i dtreo agus go dtiocfaidh siad ar réiteach do gach duine. Níl sé i gceist go mbeidh duine caite lasmuigh de na coinníollacha sin ach is gá go mbeidh an fhaisnéis iomlán ag an duine agus an banc le teacht ar réiteach.

Deputy Adams asked about the Grant Thornton report and the difficulties and challenges people face. Everybody understands the economic challenges so many families in this country have had to face because of the catastrophic situation left behind by an incompetent Government. I would not believe all the reports one reads in the papers. I am sure Deputy Adams does not. This Government has signed on to meet particular objectives and targets and we will not shirk that responsibility, but we do not intend to go beyond it. A fundamental aspect of the programme for Government is that there will not be any income tax increases. Deputy Adams's assertion that people will be faced with that is untrue. This will be vindicated by the Minister for Finance as part of the programme for Government when he presents his budget on 15 October. It is very challenging.

I note this week's reports that consumer confidence is at its highest level for the last six years, with an average of 3,000 jobs per month being created, and we have had 14 consecutive months of drops in the live register. Unemployment has fallen from 15.5% to 13.2%, which is not where we want it to be, but it is significant progress.

That is due to emigration.