Eric Byrne (Dublin South Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Ceann Comhairle. No Member can come into this Chamber and not recognise there is a terrible human tragedy in society, whereby people find it difficult to put a roof over their heads. It is almost sickening to remember the cause of this problem, that is, the obscene relationship between Fianna Fáil and the construction industry. This obscene relationship gave carte blancheto those developers to build wherever and whenever they wished, notwithstanding the inevitability of the bubble that was to burst. It placed this country in the hands of the troika and left Members' constituents to suffer in respect of one of the basics of human life, which is to have a secure roof over one's head.

That said, I applaud the excellent commitment shown regarding some projects within my constituency. For example, I refer to the regeneration of St. Teresa's Gardens and with regard to Dolphin House, which now is the largest social housing scheme in the country, a position formerly occupied by Ballymun. The elaborate and exciting plans to redevelop Dolphin House currently are on track and are being participated in by the residents there. In addition, the St. Michael's Estate scheme, which was the bane of everyone's life, has been completely flattened and new, magnificent alternative units have been provided. These are all positive developments. I compliment the Minister of State on one particular aspect. She will understand, as will the Ceann Comhairle and most Members, that there is nothing as sad or as tragic as the sight of constituents approaching one's advice centre and bringing with them a list of all the vacant houses they see, seek and need, only to see the steel shutters remaining on them for another three, six or nine months or even a year. It is horrendously difficult for those poor unfortunates who seek accommodation to see those units vacant. However, I applaud the allocation of €15 million that will bring back into circulation 950 of these boarded-up units, which have been an obscenity on the face of Dublin city in particular. This is the most welcome decision of the Government in the recent past.

I wish to raise an issue to which previous speakers also have referred. Incidentally, the Ceann Comhairle might tell me when my five minutes has expired, because I do not wish to eat into my colleagues' time.

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