Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

There have been a lot of promises and reports to do something about homeless people and building houses. However, what reason or what gripe has the Government with people in rural Ireland wanting to build their own homes? In this new 2040 plan, that never mentioned Kerry by the way, the Government is saying that houses can only be built in the open countryside if they do not detract from the capacity of our larger towns and cities to deliver homes more sustainably. That is saying they will not grant or allow planning permission in rural areas. What has the Government against people in rural areas building their own homes? Government Deputies are in here propagating that they are going to do this and do that. There is one report after another to deal with homelessness and to build houses. Why are they trying to stop people who want to build their own homes? What blackguarding is this and why is the Government against people in rural Ireland?

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