James Breen (Clare, Independent)

Recently, when Deputy Crowe put forward a motion which sought some of the goals outlined in the motion before us, I spoke about the need for modernising our housing policies so accommodation can be delivered. It is time this Government delivered on the promises it has made. However, while I fully support certain proposals contained in the Labour Party motion, I do not believe the promises which have been broken by this Government can be replaced by some of the more unrealistic targets it sets out.

I accept that we should have a proper national housing policy which delivers good quality and affordable houses to those who most need them and that such a policy should be accompanied by proper planning and infrastructural guidelines so that the ghetto-like estates built in the past by local authorities are not repeated. However, the proposal that up to 50% of units in developments in housing blackspot areas should be affordable is counter-productive because it would discourage developers from building in such areas and allow local authorities to abdicate their responsibilities to deliver housing, with the result that fewer houses would be provided. I could never support the proposal that all residential developments in housing blackspot areas would be acquired through compulsory purchase orders. As cities and towns grow, their boundaries change, so that what was once agricultural land can become suitable for urban development in a matter of years. The fact that boundaries change as towns grow does not mean that lands which have been in family ownership for generations should be acquired through compulsory purchase orders. There is no point in replacing broken promises with similarly unrealistic plans. Therefore, while I want to see a concerted and vigorous effort to address homelessness, it is futile to believe that any measure we introduce this year will end homelessness by 2010.

I have sought regulations on gazumping and auctioneering since I was elected to this House and have repeatedly urged the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to address the issue by introducing legislation. When a house is put up for sale at auction, every bidder's name, address and other contact details should be recorded in a register which is made available for inspection by anybody who wishes to check the bona fides of a bid. In the event of irregular bidding, penalties should ensue. It is time the wheel turned in favour of the consumer.

See this speech in context