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

I thank Sinn Féin for bringing forward this important motion because this is such an important issue. It is beyond belief that, in the world we are living in today, these groups can come into Ireland, buy up vast amounts of property, earn money and pay no tax. I just cannot understand that. I cannot understand why a government - past, present or future - would want to allow that to continue. Why would it want this unfair advantage to be given to companies over our own people who want to buy their own properties?

I deal with young couples every day of the week who are starting out in life, working hard and want to get on the property ladder by purchasing their own homes but are being denied that opportunity because the property prices are rising so much due to these groups coming in and buying hundreds of properties at the same time.

It is unhelpful - I heard it earlier - to hear speakers who are opposed to this motion attacking Sinn Féin for highlighting this matter tonight. I do not agree with that. It is not a good way to do our business. Everybody here should support this motion and, failing that, they should make amendments if they think they can make it better. They should not criticise it for the sake of criticising it because they do not like the fact that Sinn Féin is bringing it forward. That is not right. I do not care who brings forward the motion. I believe it deserves to be supported.

We should be making it possible in every way for our young people to get on the property ladder and for work to be rewarded. I hear people saying prices of €400,000, €450,000 or €500,000 are affordable. They are not affordable homes. It is not realistic for young people to purchase or get a mortgage for that amount. The banks are making it extremely difficult for young people.

I deal with young couples who are working diligently, have two wages coming in and have saved as much as they can but they are still being denied a mortgage. That is not right. It was easier to get on the property ladder many years ago when people had less money. That is not right and does not make sense. I ask the Minister to please take on board the merits of this argument and what we are trying to achieve here for young people.

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