Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)

The issue in question is the urgent need for the Government to address a crisis that has arisen due to the pulling out by McNamara Construction from contracts for five regeneration projects. This is not only about building homes; this is about regenerating five communities in this city and the knock-on effect for other communities who wait in hope for regeneration projects.

I believe the decision by McNamara Construction is a vote of no confidence in the public private partnership route Dublin City Council took, encouraged by the Government. In a previous life this Government, with Deputy Martin Cullen as Minister, rejected a community plan developed for St. Michael's estate, despite the plan originally having the support of Dublin City Council.

The Government must now renew the confidence of these communities in regeneration — it must fill the gap and take charge of all five projects. The Government must underwrite this scheme to the extent that it not only builds social housing, but affordable housing and private homes also. It must also provide the facilities promised to St. Michael's estate, O'Devaney Gardens, Seán McDermott Street, Dominick Street and Infirmary Road.

I reiterate a call made by Councillors Críona Ní Dhálaigh and Christy Burke today. I call on Deputy Michael Finneran, Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, with responsibility for housing, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy John Gormley, the Minister for Finance, Deputy Brian Lenihan and even the Taoiseach to visit these areas and talk to the residents. They have put up with a great deal since these regeneration projects started. They have put up with devastation and disadvantage in the hope that their dreams would come true. Those dreams have now been shattered. I wish Ministers would come to these areas and live there for a week to see the effect this decision has had. The Government has not taken this matter seriously. There is a crisis and it needs to be addressed with greater urgency than it has shown so far.

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