Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

We do not need to reinvent the wheel. We all know what the problems are. There have been so many meetings, reports and statistics on the difficulties that we are all aware of the range of issues involved, from the private rented accommodation situation to homelessness to the increase in rents and the mortgage arrears problems. The acting Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Kelly, held a high level meeting more than a year ago, which was attended by many people and organisations. I presume we have proposals following on from that meeting.

We would also have proposals from a more recent meeting that some people attended. I am sure everybody here, like me, was contacted today by various housing groups that were asking for this, that and the other. They all want to come and meet us. I am saying we do not need to reinvent the wheel or go back over old ground. Perhaps we might identify three simple questions that could be put to people involved in this area. We should ask them to suggest how we might address the issue, rather than telling us again and again what the issue is. That would be a practical way to move forward.