Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

Based on his last remarks, would the Taoiseach not agree that the best way is always to afford the people the opportunity to make that judgment and decision? I do not know that there are better ways than that — referral to the electorate for constitutional purposes is always the best way.

The Taoiseach stated his view that the issue of land and property rights will have to be addressed constitutionally. Does he recall that in the weeks prior to the Christmas recess, Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats voted down a Sinn Féin motion that sought to enshrine in the Constitution the right to housing? Given what the Taoiseach has just said, will the Government introduce a Bill to amend the Constitution to allow for the control of prices of housing land? The Taoiseach must recognise that the failure to do so has had a devastating effect on the ambition of young couples, including couples where both partners are wage earners, to proceed to home ownership through mortgage or other means. The effect of that is most particularly felt in the area the Taoiseach represents in the city of Dublin. In the greater Dublin area it has a devastating effect.

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