Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)

The Minister of State had all the answers when he was on the backbenches, but he is now polluted by power. It has gone to his head and he is now talking like Ministers who have been there for ten years. I thought that would never happen to the Minister of State, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe. He disappoints me. I know he waited a long time and he wants to hold on to the job. I do not blame him for that, but he should try to do something for the young couples in this country who want a home and forget about the guys who can afford it. He should forget about the millionaires who are using this country as a holiday home. It is time the Government dealt with this problem. We are aware of the problems and the answers, and it is up to the Government to deliver the answers. It must forget about the vested interests and look after the young people who need a home.

Take the example of the disabled person's grant. I am tired of people coming into my clinic about this. The Minister of State passed a remark to my colleague, telling him to go back to the local authority. When people could speak up in local authorities, the Government got rid of them because it knew that we knew what was going on. County managers come to Dublin every week to meet the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The managers have said that they do not want Oireachtas Members on councils because they know too much.

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