Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Mr. Draghi. Ten years after 2008, does the ECB admit errors in its own conduct after the crash? The IMF, one of the ECB's sister organisations, did and published new guidelines. What of the ECB, not least in its conduct in Ireland, where it was probably the most rigid and most conservative of all three troika members? I appreciate Mr. Draghi was not president then. We are all aware Mr. Draghi did not make threats about bombs going off in Dublin. However, Mr. Draghi's tenure of the bank is passing. While he might be described as something of a Keynesian, and all the better for it, I am not so sure about his successors.

I ask Mr. Draghi about effective housing market failure which is a real threat to our democracies, here in Ireland and in many European countries. Does Mr. Draghi recognise that effective housing market failure is happening in a number of European countries? People and families on low incomes or state support are struggling to get affordable rent or to pay it, or to buy or lease a home long-term, which has been a hallmark of European economic progress over a long time. Mr. Draghi referenced a 2% inflation rate. It is a bit low. It might be better if it was approximately 3% and that was reflected in higher wages, particularly for those on low pay. Those on low wages who cannot get housing are the so-called left behind that Mr. Draghi referred to in his opening remarks. Mr. Draghi also talked about the slogan, "Stronger together." In Gaelic, in Ireland, there is a similar phrase, ní neart go cur le chéile. Can Mr. Draghi give expression to the fine sentiments in his opening remarks that might give hope to those who do not have houses, who do not have affordable rents, and who do not have a job which pays a decent amount of money and gives them some security?