Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In respect of what has caused the housing crisis, it is important to remember that misplaced policies caused a construction boom of unprecedented levels where we built 90,000 houses and had a massive property bubble. This bubble collapsed with all the ensuing consequences, such as the damage to people's lives and the public finances. We have been living with that ever since and no system is more broken than that relating to housing provision. The system is simply broken and must be rebuilt from scratch.

The Minister will look at all views coming from all parties. The housing action plan has not yet come to Government for consideration so I have not seen the elements of it. The committee's recommendations have not yet to come to Government. The Deputy can rest assured that the Government will look at all elements.

The rent issue is about supply. We have inadequate supply and that is what the report today showed. It showed that the number of properties becoming available for rental has declined at a time when there is an increase in demand. This has simply put pressure on rents and that imbalance must be corrected before we resolve this crisis.

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