Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)

Yet, the Government tries to defend itself by claiming everything in the garden is rosy and that it has done much work in providing 75,000 houses. These houses were provided for the wealthy in many cases. I have nothing against wealthy people. However, the Government should not try to con the people and the Opposition by pretending it has done something for those in need of housing because it has not. It should apologise to the people and will have an opportunity to do so in due course.

The disabled person's grant was referred to, and this is another aspect of the Government's appalling record. Some people with disabilities have been on the list for a disabled person's grant for up to five years. If the money runs out, their applications are postponed for a year. If it runs out the following year, they are told it cannot be done. In many cases, sadly, the people involved pass on while waiting for action from the Government. In addition, new house grants were removed in case they would be of any benefit to the unfortunate people who need them. It is an appalling record. The Government should be ashamed of itself.

We should have a lengthy debate on this issue to enable us to tell the Members on the other side of the House how they have failed miserably and to point the people in the right direction when the next opportunity comes for them to give the Government the answer it richly deserves.

See this speech in context