Fair deal on mortgages vital

With many households on the cusp of going under, assistance must be targeted at those who need it most

Every section of the market faces problems in 2011: investors , existing borrowers and potential first time buyers.

People who have not yet bought face removal of tax relief at source (TRS) under the new Programme for Government, to give greater tax relief to people who bought during the boom.

This policy makes a presumption of financial duress for the 160,000 first-time buyers who drew down loans from 2004 to 2008.

However, the ...