Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am conscious that the session is coming to an end and I wish to take this opportunity to thank the witnesses. More important, it has become obvious that the committee is seeing the issue from a different perspective from theirs. I have no doubt that departmental officials are following these proceedings because they monitor everything that goes on at this committee and they do a good job. There is a disconnect and that is a big problem. Differing views are being put forward by the Minister and his officials in the Custom House, the witnesses this evening and the county managers. I have learned a lot tonight. Mr. Kenny put forward a very strong case. I am now aware of the problems he is facing. Other Dublin City Council officials to whom I have spoken told me a totally different story, which is very interesting. Several county managers, or chief executives as they are now called, have told me that they are frustrated by the process. Some council officials listening to these proceedings will tell me the witnesses are to blame. I do not want there to be a blame game but that is the reality. I will tomorrow make clear to the Minister that the next housing summit should take place in the Oireachtas and be televised in order that the public know what is happening.

It is one of the greatest scandals. I like to be positive about things but 100,000 people are on our social housing lists. There are 10,000 people in emergency accommodation of whom 3,500 are children. We have 31 local authorities and city councils. Sr. Stanislaus Kennedy said at a conference last week that we are worse off under Rebuilding Ireland than we were two and a half years ago. That is the reality of it. The figures speak for themselves.

I do not intend speaking much about Rebuilding Ireland tomorrow. I will be directing all of my comments directly to the Minister on a whole new narrative that I have spent some time preparing. I hope he will engage with us on that tomorrow. I think the next summit should be between us; it should be the politicos, the councillors and our good selves. Too much is going on of blame gaming and too much is going on in other rooms. The public does not see what is going on and does not buy into it. Tonight there are children and families in homeless accommodation. There will be people walking the streets tomorrow trying to fill in a few hours. It is a scandal. I am not blaming the local authority officials; I am terribly impressed with their presentations. Tomorrow afternoon I will be saying to the Minister and his officials that it is about time we all sat in and talked about this in a public forum and let the public see what is going on.

I thank the witnesses for their engagement.