Shane Cassells (Meath West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is unreal. It is unbelievable to think we are in here week in, week out and that there will be a vote of no-confidence in the Minister next Tuesday night, yet we have a situation where only 2,700 of 7,000 units which were going to be paid for upfront and leased back were not taken. It goes back to the discussion on the Housing Agency. I have made this point here before about the so-called parameters, who is running the show and whether local authorities have the gumption to stand up and deal with this issue properly. There are plenty of blame games being played with the Minister blaming the local authorities and local authorities saying the Minister is to blame. However, homes were on the table, as Mr. McDonagh said, and three-bed semi-detached houses were being offered but that is not what the local authorities wanted. It is scandalous. Does Mr. McDonagh agree the local authorities were remiss in that respect?