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

First, we will, of course, await the proposals from the county council. Every county and city councillor has a role in this. The Government has provided resources, especially in terms of the tenant in situscheme and we want county and city councils to implement it and follow through on it. We also want them to follow through on affordable and social housing projects, which many are doing, but some less so than others. There is a need for us all to work collectively on this.

In respect of a Senator who voiced criticism, I would suggest that is part of the free flow of public debate in a democracy. People say things in public life. Deputy McGrath himself will have a good go at people every now and again and he is entitled to do so. The Fine Gael Senator is also entitled to have a go. He obviously has no ambition to go back into the Seanad again if he is attacking the entire county council in Tipperary, but that is another matter.

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