Dáil debates

Tuesday, 22 March 2016

Housing and Homelessness: Statements

 

7:25 pm

Photo of John McGuinnessJohn McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I congratulate Deputy Ó Fearghaíl on his election as Ceann Comhairle and wish him well in his new role and in his efforts in terms of the reform of how we do our work in this House. I know he will do a fine job.

I also congratulate all of the new Deputies who contributed to the debates today, particularly my colleague from Kilkenny city, Deputy Funchion. I have no doubt that all of what was said today was said to bring to the attention of Government the crisis that exists in most cities, towns and counties throughout this country. I only hope that there will be a Government response to what was said. I have listened carefully to previous similar debates. It is as if we are speaking in a vacuum here in that we say sincerely what we mean and we ask for action but we get nothing. People looking in at this debate and, I am sure, reports in the media tomorrow on television and radio will be to the effect that this was just another example of a talking shop. If one wanted a good example of why the Dáil needs to be reformed what happened today is a good one. There are 158 Members of the Dáil, all of whom are well paid to do a job. We had several debates squeezed into one day today, with some Deputies who wished to speak not given an opportunity to do so. That is not the way to do business. Whether a caretaker Government or not, respect should be shown for every elected Member in this House.

I commend some of the fine contributions made in the course of today's debates. It was suggested that a new agency be established to deal with the housing crisis. The county councils, county managers and directors of services are all well paid and should know the number of houses that are vacant in their own jurisdictions. It is wrong for Deputy Phelan to say that within the area about which he spoke there are no houses that are vacant. There are houses that have been vacant for seven years.

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