Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Socialist Party) | Oireachtas source

We have said it all already. I want to take up one issue. The Minister of State has said that this leasing package needs to be introduced to get rid of the cash or the land in lieu elsewhere. I would rather the cash or the land in lieu than the leasing of houses. I think everybody else would share that preference. It has been suggested that this approach has to be taken in order to outlaw the way in which Part V was circumvented previously. When that was happening, at least councils got some cash to build houses on their own lands or elsewhere. They were given land or they were given money. The leasing measure that is being introduced now is unbelievably shocking. As I said earlier, the families concerned will never be able to live in and be part and parcel of an actual community with a good community spirit, as families were able to do many years ago when they got council houses. Families will always have to contend with the threat of being moved on at any time. I will conclude by repeating a question that I do not think the Minister of State answered. Who is going to police the issues that arise among tenants in these leased properties? All the councils used to have estate management sections, but now private landlords will be in charge of these tenants. If the Minister of State intends to continue to stick rigidly to this policy, the least he could do is answer my question.

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