Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In respect of the development levies, this applies to all residential development that commences within a year from today. It applies to local authority development levies and Uisce Éireann-Irish Water connection charges, and they will be fully refunded by central government. Irish Water will not lose out - it will be able to continue with its investments - and local authorities will not lose out either as it will be funded by the Government. This is all designed to bring down the cost of building a home for people who are building who their own home but also the cost of building homes generally, with a view to increasing supply and making sure we exceed our housing targets yet again this year and meet them next year.

In regard to the Minister of State, Deputy Collins, my understanding is he has written to the Office of the Ceann Comhairle seeking time to make a statement in the Dáil. I believe he should be allowed to do so. I do not believe the question-and-answer sessions that happen in this Chamber, quite frankly, are fair-----

See this speech in context