Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

When I listen to the Minister, I usually try to figure out which parts of what he says he believes and which parts he does not. It is not always that easy, but I am sure there is a great deal he does not believe. He speaks of hypocrisy, but he knows perfectly well that the objections made by Sinn Féin representatives were made on the basis of affordability. Yes, there should be houses, but not for €400,000 or €500,000. That is different from the kinds of objection that people such as Councillor Seán Martin made to building houses on the Skehard Road or Councillor Seamus McGrath made to housing in Bluepool in Kanturk. There are many other examples around the country.

The Minister speaks about whether Sinn Féin somehow enjoys this housing crisis. I will tell him what I do not enjoy. When people who are above the income threshold for social housing come to my office after getting notices to quit and they ask me what their options are, I have not much to advise them of. That is the simple fact of how things are. House prices and rents are rising. God help people if they live far away from where their parents grew up, if they do not have a relationship with them or if they cannot move back in with them and they are trying to rent while also putting together money for a mortgage. God forbid if they also have children and are trying to pay for childcare. Having a permanent home of their own is completely out of their reach regardless of whether they have done everything right, as the Minister would see it, in terms of education, training and so on. For people of my generation who do not have some of the advantages enjoyed by others, having an affordable home is out of their reach.

What the Minister is dealing with in our motion is a serious proposition. Housing should be affordable, not just carry that name, and that is what Sinn Féin will deliver.

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