The Government is to introduce “further options’’ next week to assist borrowers with mortgage arrears, Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said.

He told the Dáil on Wednesday the way the banks had treated people was “not satisfactory’’.

The Taoiseach was replying to Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin who asked if the Government planned to change the veto the banks had over the entire process.

Mr Martin added the Government had been asked for four years to end the veto. "Something has to happen to change the status quo,'' he added.

Mr Kenny said he rejected Mr Martin's assertion that the Government continued to take the side of the banks.

“It is entirely false and beneath you to say that,’’ he added. He said it was Mr Martin’s “usual populist line’’.

Mr Kenny said it was the mess Fianna Fáil left behind four years ago which caused the current difficulties.