Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Okay. There is no simple solution to this and the witnesses have already heard different views. It is beholden on this committee to explore whatever options there can be. We do not have the answers, or I certainly do not. Other people are involved who may be able to guide us on the options and we must look at all of them. We must try to facilitate people who, like the witnesses, live in rented accommodation and who now find themselves waiting to be put out of their homes. Although I did not see the presentation, I know by looking at the witnesses that they are under a lot of stress. Anybody, particularly those with young children, living in a home where the children can go to school nearby and where there is involvement with the community would want to remain in that home.

I sympathise with the witnesses and I do not wish to be bad in saying that. As a committee we must explore options but it is not up to us today to create those options. Such options must be found as there is nothing to be lost. Only gains can be made if we try in this respect. The witnesses are only a few of probably many people who will find themselves in this position over the next couple of years. They are as important as the other hundred or more people involved with this. As a committee member, when we explore the options I will certainly be very open to formulating a viable option to keep people in their homes.