Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I asked three specific questions. They were not addressed at all in the Tánaiste's answer. I ask that he address them in his final response. There is no shortage of independent analysis which shows that Government policies in respect of housing are continuing to push up and fuel house price and rent inflation through myriad schemes that provide subsidies for developers. Every week I meet young people who, years after finishing school or college, are still living with their parents. These individuals want to be able to move out, become independent and get on with their lives. More and more people with skills that we desperately need in the country are emigrating in search of somewhere affordable to live. It is grossly unfair that the Government would seek to put the burden of paying for construction defects on people who are struggling to buy homes. The Government promised to go after those who are actually responsible for these costs. Why is this not being done? Why are the quarries that continue to produce defective materials still being allowed to operate? Defective materials are going into homes now. This will result in millions of euro of damage in years to come. Will the Government abandon its plans to introduce this very unfair levy?

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