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

I declare an interest in this matter so nobody will be able to say I did not. I am glad to have the opportunity to speak on this because every one of us is dealing every day with young couples and young mothers who are trying to do their best for their families and put a roof over their heads. One of the saddest things one has to deal with is young people who cannot find or afford accommodation.

There is one point I will not agree with or pander to. I am not talking about Deputy Healy or anybody in particular but am referring to when I hear people continuously criticising people who own property and rent it out. There is nothing criminal about that. There is nothing wrong with it. In many instances, those people are really struggling themselves to try to keep on top of bank repayments, rent out a property, keep it in good condition and pay their taxes. Every Minister knows that if those people were not in the market and taking a chance, there would be total chaos in this country. Admittedly, one could say it is their private business, but what are they guilty of? They are guilty of doing work and trying to improve their lot. There are Members here denigrating landlords, calling them this and that, and asking about this and that as if landlords were pariahs or doing something wrong. They are respectable people who are just earning a living. They are doing it by the book. That is a difficult job. To brand landlords as unimportant is not acceptable because they are bloody well important. If they were not doing what they are doing, the homelessness crisis would be much worse because the Government is not doing enough.

See this speech in context