Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)

He is wondering why they should pile coals on his head when he is only a young Minister of State. He is thinking that it is not his fault, he was not there and did not do it but in his heart and soul he knows that nobody should do these things and nobody should be allowed to walk away without taking the blame.

When the economy takes a dip, it is important to have good quality houses. There is no excuse for not having good quality houses or particular categories of house. I have had countless people coming to my advice centres looking for a three bedroom house. It is almost impossible to find one. They find a single bedroom, a bedroom and a half, two bedroom but not three bedroom unless they pay a massive amount of money. Everything is calculated to force the buyer to a particular area. It is outrageous behaviour. The Minister of State is a reasonable man and studies form all the time. He knows full well that this is the daftest carry on. As a newly appointed Minister of State we wish Deputy Mansergh well in his sojourn but I urge him to intervene with the powers that be. For God's sake stop codding the people and do something positive for a change.

See this speech in context