Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

My amendments are Nos. 368, 894 and 899. Amendment No. 894 is about housing strategy. It seeks to ensure that housing strategy in Gaeltacht communities would have regard to the need to protect the cultural and linguistic heritage of the Irish language in the Gaeltacht communities. It is an absolute disaster in terms of planning when we have a physiotherapist living out of a van in a Gaeltacht community where there are hundreds of empty homes that are available only as short-term lets. This really impacts on people's lives. Given the situation in this regard, it is not unreasonable to call for housing strategies in the legislation to have regard for the need to protect the cultural and linguistic heritage of Gaeltacht communities. This comprehensive Bill runs to 750 pages, but these things are missing from the specifics. I would like to hear why this would not strengthen the Bill and why the Minister considers there is not a need for it. For me, there is a compelling need in this regard.