Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the proposers of the amendments for giving us the opportunity to have this debate, which has been very interesting and wide-ranging. It has touched on many aspects of the issue of housing and apartments, not only in terms of the standards and regulations that apply but also in regard to how they are financed, all of which are pertinent issues in the wider debate.

Deputies regularly raise in this House their concerns regarding housing supply and the need to meet demand that, which is legitimate, and I have no issue surrounding that. However, one of the obvious barriers to supply that we have identified is the whole issue of viability of construction and ability to buy and to rent. Until the supply issue is addressed, many of the other issues will not be resolved.

Deputy Boyd Barrett is right in one respect, namely, the State needs to build more social housing, which is why the Government is committed to doing that. However, the Deputy does not even acknowledge that in his contribution. I would respect him more if he acknowledged we are doing some building but he does not even mention it. He is clouded in his cynicism and, while he is entitled to be cynical, his view is being clouded by the extreme view he takes.

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