Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Chairman and congratulate him on his election. I welcome my appointment as a member of the committee. It is a committee that is not partial to any one area. It is important to acknowledge that the problem is felt all over the country, in both urban and rural areas. I represent both the city and county parts of my constituency. We have to remember the need to strike a balance. I would like the committee to look at the lack of social and affordable housing and the difficulty of finding landlords willing to accept the housing assistance payment.