Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Taoiseach says that the supply of houses is not there. Why is it not there? It is because the Government will not put public money into it. Instead, it put taxpayers' money into the pockets of the big bankers and their cronies.

The Minister said yesterday, "Really, we're kind of putting a bridle on the horse that has been almost out of control for the last two years". He said: "kind of". That describes it well -it is a "kind of" proposal and a "kind of" policy. Yesterday's announcement locks in rent increases of 12% for renters in Dublin city and Cork city, and that is on top of the runaway rent increases for everybody else. Four families a day are becoming homeless. What about the people outside Dublin city and Cork city? What about the people in the commuter belt? They are doomed to expect even higher increases in rents, which is what this plan envisages.

The Taoiseach ignored my substantive point when he responded to me a moment ago. The Government has interfered belatedly but inadequately with the market. It has conceded the principle. Will the Taoiseach acknowledge that? Having conceded the principle, why not follow through with rent certainty? He should explain why the Government will not follow through with rent certainty.

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