Michael D'Arcy (Wexford, Fine Gael)

Following on from the pilot programme, the 2009 allocation of €20 million shows a decided lack of ambition. This is sad because I believe the Minister and his colleague from the Green Party, the Minister, Deputy Gormley, are eager to try to implement such measures. However, the Minister, Deputy Ryan, has not shown strength of character by standing up to fight for additional funds. Were the Minister to be allocated more than €20 million to spend on this measure, it would enable him to adopt a carrot and stick approach regarding the many homes that are more than ten years old and are very poorly built and insulated and so on.

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