Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

It is very telling that in response to three very important questions, the Tánaiste used his time trying to slate the Social Democrats in regard to what our approach to housing might be in government. He says he believes in home ownership and the Government's policy is aiming for that and will achieve it. However, its big idea to boost affordability for young people is the shared equity scheme, which fails to make houses more affordable and heaps extra debt on first-time buyers who must, in effect, pay for the unaffordable cost of homes. There is nothing new in the Government's housing policy. It is still wedded to the same developer-led approach. People have said time and again that insanity is defined as doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. Nowhere is this more evident than in the Government's housing policy.

If these issues are not addressed, they will continue to fester and things will only deteriorate. The Tánaiste and his party have been in power for nearly 11 years now. The responsibility for young people's dwindling opportunities and ability ever to own a home rests squarely on this Government and the Tánaiste's previous two Governments. It is unbelievable that he would stand up and slate the Social Democrats approach to housing policy.

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