Tony Gregory (Dublin Central, Independent)

Ba mhaith liom tacaíocht a thabhairt don tairiscint seo de chuid Fhine Gael i dtaobh na héigeandála i gcúrsaí tithíochta go mbeadh cruinniú práinneach de na páirtnéirí sóisialta agus gur chóir an Rialtas seo a cháineadh de bharr gur theip go hiomlán air freastal ar dhaoine atá ag lorg tithíochta sa tír seo.

I support the motion as it serves to focus our attention on the vital issue of the basic right of all our people to decent living accommodation which successive Governments have failed to honour. The Government has refused to take radical action to address this fundamental right. Most Members will agree that the breathtaking cost of houses and the massive price increases which have spiralled out of control in recent years are completely unjustifiable and demand action. The scandal of homelessness is a black mark on the record of the State as are lengthy waiting lists for local authority housing. Profiteers lurk in the background to racketeer in new house prices and land values while a small number of multi-millionaires control the bulk of development land in the Dublin region.

Such circumstances are unsustainable and unjustifiable and no amount of tinkering with the system can change them. While developers and builders manipulate and control the housing market in a manner which allows them to maximise their vast profits, the number of unfortunate people joining the local authority housing waiting lists steadily increases. The average price of a house in Dublin is well in excess of €300,000 while the latest phenomenon is the increasing number of new housing schemes advertised in property supplements which feature prices starting far above €1 million. While the same property supplements advise investors on the merits of properties in New Zealand, South Africa and Florida, increasing numbers of Irish people see the opportunity to obtain a home move increasingly beyond their reach. The political philosophy of the Progressive Democrats-Fianna Fáil Government which produces this inequality is the most corrupting influence in Ireland today.

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