Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On Irish Water, the European Investment Bank put up money for it and the EUROSTAT agency, which is independent, stated that if we ticked certain boxes it would be allowed off balance sheet. Obviously, to comply we had to tick those boxes, but the rules then changed. That is only one instance. The European Investment Bank stated that it would not provide any more money if that is going to be the way. There is a need for predictability and consistency from EUROSTAT. I have raised the issue with the European President, Mr. Juncker, directly. This issue is not just confined to Ireland. Many other countries have the same problem and work is ongoing in respect of it.

If the leaders of the European Council state that we have to listen to people, invest in facilities and address citizens' human concerns, issues and anxieties, we need to do it in a clear way so that when we go on a pathway for investment it actually stands up and not have the goalposts changed on a monthly basis. I spoke to one of the directors of EUROSTAT on Tuesday about the issue and work is ongoing on it not just between Ireland and EUROSTAT but between other countries and EUROSTAT as well.

On housing, we have changed the structure here and given the housing Minister the specific responsibility of dealing with it as the most urgent priority of the Government. The construction sector is thriving in every area except housing.

We hope to continue that development in the afternoon at the housing sub-committee.