Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

There will be a comprehensive debate on the finance Bill next week. It will give Deputy Healy-Rae and others ample opportunity to discuss that issue and to make their points. There were legitimate points on this all round. The Government is doing an awful lot for first-time buyers. That is evidenced by the fact that, this year, we have had more first-time buyers buying homes than in any year since 2008. Much has been done through the help-to-buy scheme, the first home scheme and other initiatives to help first-time buyers. That will continue.

Deputy Gannon asked for a debate on the capital city. He raised violence and addiction, particularly drug addiction issues, in the capital city. I would value such a debate. It is an important point. The Chief Whip has informed me that a debate is being planned for the middle of November. Deputies Gannon and McAuliffe and others have consistently raised those concerns with me, as well as the positives of the capital city.

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