Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Bhí a fhios agam riamh go bhfuil difríocht mhór idir Béarla agus Gaeilge ach níor thuig mé riamh go dtí seo an difríocht idir Béarla an Rialtais agus a chomhghleacaithe i bhFianna Fáil agus muidne ar an taobh seo agus, níos tábhachtaí fós, muintir na tíre. Tá difríocht mhór ann maidir le teanga agus réiteach. I will try to be as brief as possible but I sat here all day yesterday and I am particularly interested in housing. I understand there is a big difference between Irish and English. They are two different languages. To this point, I really did not grasp the difference in the use of the English language. There is a difference between the English of the Government and its little imps on the left-hand side here, Fianna Fáil, who are really on the right, and ourselves and, most importantly, the people of the country. This strategy is being put forward as a solution and something that will control the rental market. I have listened and I would almost be driven to give up when I listen to the twist of language that is coming from the Government and Fianna Fáil and which is being put forward as a solution. I have read it and I have listened to all the faults that have been pointed out quite articulately by everybody on this side of the Chamber. We are making a mistake in saying it is a flawed document because it is a perfect document. There are no difficulties in this document except for the equation which the Minister has begun to sort out. There are no problems with this document if one realises who it is for. It is certainly not for people renting. This is for the landlords. This is for the friends of the Government. It is a perfect document. I must congratulate the Minister: comghairdeachas. Tá éacht déanta aige maidir le tiarnaí talún na tíre.

There is no security of tenure or affordability. In fact, the Minister is building in price increases. All of the evidence is there that the current rents are not affordable. The Minister is building in increases. He is fast-tracking evictions for those who will not be able to pay their rent. He is ignoring the evidence that not only people in mortgage arrears are evicted. According to research carried out by Dr. Padraic Kenna and a team of people in Galway, the highest number of evictions is of the group of people who cannot afford to pay their rent yet the Minister is building in an increase in rent. He is bringing in a strategy that is not based on evidence. There is absolutely no evidence as to why the Minister can justify 4%, 8% and 12%. The Minister has picked areas such as Dublin and Cork. Fianna Fáil is in government with Fine Gael. It is Fine Gael's partner in government. There is no sign of the Independents. We are all busy but Fine Gael's partners in government-----

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