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

I thank the proposers of the motion and I support their concern but I do not support their argument in its entirety. There is pressure on now and it has extended for a while, which is fine.

However, we need to solve the problem. I welcome the Minister of State to his new position. I support People Before Profit's concerns, but we must do something permanent about them. I have been raising the matter for years in the House. The cost of rent is an issue, but we must realise that 52% of the rent is paid straight to the State. If the Government wanted to do something about the cost of rent, it would reduce the amount of tax it charged on a certain number of houses, particularly smaller ones, or whatever the case may be. Everyone who owns and rents out a house had to put work and money into it and is probably paying a mortgage. People need to have room to do that.

House owners' rights need to be protected, too. I feel for the tenants. Getting rid of bedsits in a single blow was a desperate mistake, as they helped many people who just wanted a place to lie down for two, three or four years. It was a fine setup.

The only people who can get planning permission in Kerry now are landowners' children. While I welcome that they can, no one else can in the countryside. There are 171 voids in Kerry. If the Government was serious about housing people, it would put those back into use. That cannot be done without Government funding.

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