Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As has been discussed earlier, there is an appalling housing crisis, particularly in the social and affordable area and in getting 3,000 children out of emergency accommodation. The programme for Government gives clear commitments on utilising various agencies and mechanisms, especially the Irish credit union movement. There is a commitment in the programme for Government to:

recognise the potential role that Credit Unions can play in housing finance ... [and to] lift current lending restrictions as appropriate, including for housing. To investigate what role the Credit Union movement can play in the development of new housing, the Department of Finance will engage with the League of Credit Unions to help them develop their housing proposals.

That was a target action for the first 100 days within the programme for Government. For the last three to four years the credit union movement has been saying to the Government that, essentially, it has substantial money on deposit and available to utilise through some vehicle for social house construction. They have not been taken seriously by Government and nothing has emanated-----

See this speech in context