Sinn Féin calls on government to stand up to banks

The issue is expected to take centre stage at the party's Ard Comhairle in Dublin today where a range of other issues such as budget 2014, and a border poll on Irish unity will be discussed.

The President of Sinn Féin is criticising the government for how they have dealt with the mortgage crisis - figures released from the Central Bank yesterday show a rise in the number of homeowners behind on repayments.

142,000 people are in some form of arrears with more than 95,000 accounts behind on repayments by over 90 days.

Gerry Adams said that the coalition has failed struggling homeowners.

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