MARCH 2006. As anticipated mortgage interest rates have moved up since late last year by 1/2 %.It is generally expected that thereis further room for rate rises by the end of 2006 probably by afurther 1/2 %.Slower than expected growth in the eurozone and higher oil prices may limit the rise. Our mortgages.ie calculator area has facilities to compare the cost of switching to a fixed rate as against avariable rate and werecommend all mortgage holders and indeed first time buyers to consider seriously the fixed rate option for at least some of their mortgage borrowings.