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

As always, I want to put on the record that this is an issue that I know a lot about as I have been involved in it for a long time. It is a simple, straightforward problem to tackle. We need to supply more local authority houses. We need to build more houses and provide more accommodation of all types. In the county that I represent, we desperately need more one and two-bedroom accommodation. That is a fact. I am proud of the work of Kerry County Council's housing department and the work that it does, including Mr. Martin O'Donoghue, and the excellent staff who work with him, whether in the homeless unit, the inspectors who go out to meet applicants, the ladies in the office or the men who work in the department.

However, we need more resources to be given to us. It will have the capability then as a local authority to buy the land and build the houses. There are excellent contractors in County Kerry who will build the houses for us. We need more funding to be provided.

There is something I can never understand. There has to be a mix with private. It is not being critical of this Government, the last one or any one before. Every Government will fail to provide enough housing. You need the mix. We have people shouting from different parts of the Dáil and condemning the people who provide private accommodation as if they are criminals. They are tax collectors. They give over 50% of whatever they bring in on tax. They are paying mortgages on the properties and maintaining them. They are giving a service and it is no crime to do that. I ask the Government not to neglect that fact.

Another thing I cannot understand is there are people in here who shout about providing more housing and they are the first to go out and object to housing developments. I see people in areas throughout the country objecting to people's opportunities of building houses and apartments. They are denying people family homes and have no right in the world to do so. People have a right to object if there is a genuine reason but I see noodenaddys objecting because they are good for nothing only objecting and trying to shoot down other people's hopes.

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