Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I, too, support Deputy Ó Fearghaíl's amendment. I cannot believe what is being provided for in this Bill, particularly in this provision. My experience of the RAS in South Tipperary County Council has been good. The officials there do a very good job. What is being proposed is a trick of the loop. The Minister of State could be a magician rather than the Minister of State with responsibility for housing.

The Minister of State has made a number of announcements on radio and television about additional moneys she has acquired for the construction of houses so as to make some kind of dent in the housing list. We are all aware of the seriousness of the situation. What is proposed is a real trick of the loop. If the Minister of State manages to have thousands banished form the housing list she will be a wonder woman, thereby taking that title from the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Burton. It would be unbelievable.

I do not believe the Labour Party Deputies will troop in here tonight and vote for this. I come from Clonmel, a very proud town where the Labour Party originated. Someone suggested the members of the Labour Party will be coming back here in a minibus after the next election but I believe they will be coming back on a tandem bicycle. None of them will be coming back. The Labour Party had such a proud record of service, especially on housing and such issues. I do not know how Labour Ministers could introduce this kind of legislation.

I do know who is in charge in the Department. Is it the towering Minister, Deputy Hogan, affectionately known as Big Phil, who is leaving these shores? The Minister of State will not have any place to go and will have to remain in Limerick. God help her party when the electorate gets it because-----

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