Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

The speaking arrangements are as reflective of the organisation and administration of this House as is the futility of bring forward this useless Bill. What we say in this House will go unheeded, but I will make one point as the Minister of State with responsibility for housing, Deputy Finneran, is present.

Local authorities should open up the boarded-up houses around the country and get tenants into them. When undertaking housing assessments, they should differentiate between housing needs and housing desire. Millions of euro have been spent on unnecessary rent supplement.

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