Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There is a huge demand for affordable housing, which is in an increasing crisis with the rising cost of imported materials, such as steel, that cannot be supplied by the EU. Imports coming in from outside the EU are subject to a quota and also a 25% tariff. In this quarter, the quota for the quarter was exceeded on the very first day. A steel importer I am aware of had to be pay Revenue €300,000 on that day. There will be jobs lost, prices will go up and homes will not be built because people cannot get steel at the price at which they should get it. The only people who are benefiting are the mill owners in Europe. Will the Taoiseach please intervene with his EU colleagues to make sure the quota is increased in order that businesses which cannot get steel from the EU because their order book is full can import it without this huge tariff, which increases the price of housing and makes it more difficult for ordinary people to get their own homes?

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