Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The wording of legislation is very important. The people who live in social and affordable housing or private rented accommodation are not all necessarily from different areas. It is important that we do stigmatise or label areas. I come from Knocknaheeny, which is a major social housing development on the north side of Cork city. I own my own home now. Some of the guys with whom I went to school became carpenters, accountants and so on. On the block where I lived, there was a real cross-section of society. Wording is key. I note the Minister said he is willing to take another look at some of the wording. When drafting legislation, it is important the wording is positive and constructive and that it does not label or stigmatise areas. I ask that the Minister be conscious of that.

I am proud of where I came from and grew up. I live in Gurranabraher now, which is another social housing development. I love my community and the people who live there. There is a great cross-section of society. It is important not to pigeonhole people and to say that if they come from a particular area they are in a particular section.