John Paul Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy might learn some day that when he asks a direct question, he gets a script from the Department. In order to give accurate information, Ministers are requested to do this. The Chair will know that other Members, including Deputy O'Rourke, are not supposed to have scripts when they are speaking in the House but that is a Standing Order that is not observed by anybody.

In regard to the seriousness of the matter, I have never had a discussion with the Deputy before and he clearly does not know anything about me. I know north Kildare very well and I know people who are involved in building in north Kildare. Before he entered the House, Deputy O'Rourke was involved in construction himself, as far I remember. He knows the shortages that exist in north Kildare, despite the pure failure on his part to observe anything I said in my response. I opened my comments by saying that his point about the delay in processing applications was a valid one. He went on to completely ignore that acknowledgement but also the wider implications for those in private rented accommodation that could come if there was a significant change in the HAP scheme.

I indicated all along, including at the start of my comments, that there will be a review of the HAP scheme. The Minister, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, has said many times that the housing options that are available to local authorities and individuals are under constant review. Deputy O'Rourke was a member of Kildare County Council and has not been a Member of this House for long. He might go back to Kildare County Council and look at the €6 billion in funding that is available from the central government to provide local authority houses. He might also reflect on the time before he entered politics, when he was building houses and when Fianna Fáil introduced legislation to privatise the building of public houses in this country - Part V and Noel Dempsey. Does he remember that fellow? I remember him. I used to come up against him when I was in the Seanad at the time. When the backside fell out of the private building sector in this country, there were no public houses that could be provided because Fianna Fáil had given the job to private sector people who were involved in construction, like the Deputy.

I think there is plenty for the Deputy to reflect upon. I am one of the fairest people the Deputy will ever meet in this House but to accuse me of not being serious about my job and to have such a lack of understanding about responses to parliamentary questions and Topical Issues shows a degree of ignorance that ill suits somebody representing the people of north Kildare.

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