Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I also opposed the removal of the eviction ban. We could see the devastation. Fianna Fáil used to have a proud record regarding home ownership but it has clearly abandoned that. There is dysfunction in the Department and county councils along with blackguarding. I will focus on people trying to build a house who are fortunate enough to have a site on family land or can get the site. They are able to get a reasonable mortgage to build a reasonable house - not a mansion - but the Government has put in layers of stoppages. The Government continues to fund An Taisce and to support the county managers who have all the powers taken away from the councillors. The Government put in place a planning regulator to enforce everything. People are given a sheer "No" and told to get lost - I will not use another stronger word. These people have the wherewithal and want to build.

The Minister is rubbing his hands with glee. Fianna Fáil supported the previous Government in confidence and supply, or whatever it wanted to call it, but that Government built no houses. Rents are shocking. We are talking about the noble aspiration that people in this country had for generations since the Famine and since the inception of our State to build and own their own house. The Government has quenched that torch. The late great Canon Hayes said it was better to light one candle than curse the dark. The Government is darkening every light for every person who is homeless and every person who aspires to build a house. The Government does not care about them. It has spin doctors out its ears and eyes. If talk could build houses, there would be houses everywhere. There would not be room for us to stand. It is all bluff and blunder.

The Government is an abject failure and it is an utter disgrace. I welcome the motion and I support it. Of course the Government will not accept it. If it did accept it, it would only just rub its hands and bury it someplace else. It is time to get off and let somebody else do the job if it cannot do it. Fianna Fáil has completely lost its way and it does not have the vision that its fore leaders and forefathers had. It is time for it to get out.

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