Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Let me repeat again that one of the central problems here is the question of the supply of housing for people. People are entitled to have decent accommodation made available to them. Deputy Adams is aware that we were building between 90,000 and 100,000 units a number of years ago but that collapsed entirely, with construction down to only 8,500 or 9,000 units. To get the sector to step up to the plate has required a great deal of effort and work. Many contractors went out of business and there were issues with the building and planning regulations. All of these are independent processes in so far as planning is concerned. The Government has put its money on the table in respect of social housing. Instructions and directions have been given to local authorities to get on with that job and both the Minister and the Minister of State have met representatives of various local authorities in that regard.

In respect of the rent situation, Deputy Martin feels that just increasing the rent----

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