Pat Casey (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State and Deputy Ó Broin for their contributions. Deputy Ó Broin referred to the likes of three and four generations living in one house. It illustrates the fact that we do not fully know the depth of the housing crisis, given that people are couch surfing and three or more generations are living in a house. The crisis is a lot bigger than is portrayed to us daily. I acknowledge the support for the Bill in the House. It was intended to try to address one of these issues, which is the overcrowding in the sector. As Deputy Ó Broin said, it does not just apply to the "RTÉ Investigates - Nightmare to Let" programme. It is a bigger issue than that. The Bill's intention is for a good purpose.

If we got the definition right, as well as the criteria around that definition, then it does not matter if it affects housing deliveries because it is what we require as a society. Housing delivery is one thing but the standard of the housing we live in must be to a certain standard. If that affects housing delivery, it affects housing delivery. It should not come in to play.

I agree with Deputy Ó Broin about inspections. We need to do a lot more around the inspection regime. I have been in Dáil Éireann for three years and have worked on the housing committee for three years. I have seen that we can work together. I have seen legislation brought in where the Government party, Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin have worked together because it is for everybody's benefit. That is why we are willing to accept the Minister of State's amendment. We know that the members of the housing committee work exceptionally well together and have brought legislation through the House due to working together. On that basis, we are willing to support the Minister of State's amendment to defer the reading of the Bill. With a combination of everything, hopefully we will provide proper legislation pertaining to overcrowding in our housing stock.

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