The Taoiseach says he expects banks "to do better" to give customers lower interest rates on their mortgages.

But Enda Kenny denies that he's deliberately set up banks to reward the 'elites' instead of ordinary people.

He's commenting ahead of a vote tonight on a Fianna Fáil motion asking the government to lobby banks for lower rates.

The government will vote down that motion - but has said the Central Bank is actively looking at ways in which banks can be encouraged to offer lower rates.

Earlier the finance minister Michael Noonan told the Dáil that he would not be taking any active role in setting interest rates, as it would be bad practice to intervene that directly.

Our political correspondent Gavan Reilly filed this report for Today FM's National Lunchtime News.