Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I would challenge the Taoiseach regarding the rent freeze.

I do not accept it is not constitutional and at the very least, it should be challenged. Linking it to inflation when inflation is going up will not give certainty. The only certainty renters have at present is the date on which their rent will go up. That is completely unacceptable.

Affordability right across the spectrum, whether it is purchase or rent, is the key issue. There is little I can see the Government doing that will deliver affordability. In the case of the Land Development Agency, public land is being handed over and there is a profit motive. We look at the cost rental model with a profit element to it.

The Affordable Housing Bill debated last week was misnamed. We did not vote for it because we see it as the unaffordable housing Bill. Every expert group said some of the initiatives would drive up house prices. That is the last thing we need. I do not get the sense that the scale of this issue is understood by the Government. Will the Taoiseach tell us about the economic statement and what kind of budget will be available in terms of housing?

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