Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)

It is a disgrace that it is not only tolerated by the State, but paid for by its taxpayers.

All of this makes the argument that Part V should be returned to its original purpose and the Government's approach to housing should change. People need to be treated on the basis of equality, and parity in housing needs to be the number one goal in housing policy. The policy of mixed tenure development should be to the forefront of any new plans for house building regardless of whether the development is in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown or Tallaght.

Part V can help in the provision of high standard, quality accommodation for some of the 44,000 currently on local authority waiting lists. However, amending Part V is only one step. My colleagues will deal with other measures that need to be addressed.

Every person in Ireland has the right to live in security, peace and dignity, and to the continuous improvement of living conditions. Every person has a right to housing, regardless of income or access to economic resources, economic status or group or other affiliation or status, and every person has a right to freedom from discrimination in housing. Sinn Féin is committed to bringing about a progressive improvement in living conditions for lower income people, and to allow for tenure of choice. Sinn Féin aims to end the housing crisis, eliminate homelessness and ensure that adequate and appropriate housing is available and accessible to every person on the island without exception.

It is time to put the needs of families before the needs of developers. It is time to develop a housing policy aimed at delivering social and affordable housing, not one aimed at delivering higher profits for the construction industry. The Bill will give all parties the opportunity to pick a side and take a stand.

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