Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

Thank God the people of this country do. They do not vote for the Green Party in any numbers. However, I accept the need to ensure that there is utmost confidence in our electoral system. That is why, in response to the concerns that were raised, the Government decided to establish an independent commission on electronic voting to report to the Ceann Comhairle on the secrecy and accuracy of the proposed arrangements. I also promised to introduce legislation to ensure that there is no doubt about the application of electronic voting to European, presidential and local elections. The debate on the Electoral (Amendment) Bill will commence in the House tomorrow.

Throughout Fianna Fáil's time in government, we have consistently delivered on the provision of housing for our people. We have responded to changing times, changing needs and changing economic circumstances. The economic boom under the stewardship of Fianna Fáil Governments over the past 15 years has seen a tripling of output in housing provision. We are now building houses at three times the European average output and five times the output of the UK. Last year saw the ninth consecutive year of record housing output, with almost 70,000 new houses completed. I reject the insulting approach to the Minister of State with responsibility for housing, which has been taken by the Green Party and others in this debate. He is doing a first class job for which he should be respected.

See this speech in context