Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

In my considered opinion, HAP has been an unmitigated disaster. Billions have been spent on it which should have been used to build houses. We need to get off that particular road, an bóthar uafásach, as I said. The situation is desperate. While the Government talks of great intentions, when it comes to building houses we need further immediate action for young people, na daoine óga. Many of the Government's policies, especially since the Taoiseach hitched up in a marriage or threesome with the Greens, are leading directly to a limited supply. Young couples who want to build on their own land cannot get planning permission. The Government will not let them cut a cipín not to mind a tree. Cad a dhéanfaimid feasta gan adhmad? It is so sad. Then there is the price of building. We do not have enough apprentices. The Taoiseach referred to starts. Are there ESB connections? Is it when everything is finished and the ESB has approved the turning on of the electricity? The Government is playing with people's lives here and playing with figures. Builders cannot get tradesmen or supplies. A young couple, or any couple, cannot get a quotation for less than a week now because building suppliers will not give it to them, because they cannot due to the escalating costs. It is backwards we are going. The sense of meitheal, tá sé imithe. Is mór an trua é sin.

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