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

Nobody in this House can genuinely question the Minister's work ethic or his commitment, but I have problems with the policies, such as the attack on short-term lets and properties rented on airbnb. It is argued that the Government's policies will bring 12,000 homes back into the long-term rental sector. That will not happen. The Government is not providing enough money on the ground to do up vacant properties. We need €2.7 million in Kerry. The Taoiseach told me last week that money was not a problem. If it is not, I ask that the €2.7 million is provided and we will do up the vacant local authority houses that we have. There is no acquisition programme for local authorities to buy up houses in County Kerry. I compliment the Minister on the Croí Cónaithe fund scheme. It will be good and I hope it will work. The repair and lease scheme was bogged down with bureaucracy and that is why it failed. On the current land tax policy that is in place, no allowance is made for farmers who are actively farming land. We cannot put people out of the business that they are in. In Kenmare, there is no sewerage scheme and no development.

Having said all of that, in the seconds remaining, I want to comment on the Members who are proposing an attack here today and saying they have the solution to the housing crisis. They would not know one end of a shovel from the other. They could not build one block on top of another. If we were relying on them, they would not be able to house a hen.

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