Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

We have 14,400 people who are homeless. We have 4,419 children who are homeless. Is this not some legacy to leave just before the Government members knock on the doors of the people of this country to tell them what a good job they have done? My God, they have failed the Irish people miserably. If it comes down to the people in the cities, yes, but look at the people in the country areas. Every weekend, my clinics are full of people who cannot get planning permission. They want to make a start in life but they cannot get planning permission. Every rule and regulation is built to ensure they do not get planning. If people pass every other hurdle, which many times they do not, the regulator is there to make sure he will pull them down.

Let us look at our system and at our sewage and wastewater systems. I am worn out talking about Shannon Vale, Rosscarbery, Goleen, Ballydehob and Dunmanway. Those places have raw sewage pouring into the tide. I brought it up last week with the Minister, Deputy Donohoe.

The Minister told me Uisce Éireann is perfect. Did he watch "Prime Time" last Thursday night? I certainly did? I have no confidence in the Minister for Finance. The Minister of State should have a good look at what he said and have a good look at the programme. He is an absolute disgrace to come in here and praise Uisce Éireann when we see what it is doing throughout the whole country. It has the whole country ground to a halt. We cannot get planning permission in our towns anymore because of Uisce Éireann.

People cannot build one house in Dunmanway and the Minister of State wants someone from his party or from Fine Gael to go knocking on doors and telling people how well they have done over the past years and give them another four or five years in power. They have been a disaster because there is no accountability for Uisce Éireann and the money that has been spent out there.

With regard to septic tanks, I spoke to a couple from Castletownkenneigh near Newcestown the other day. That is not even my constituency. They told me they have raw sewage coming out of their tank but they cannot draw down a grant because they are not in the mapped area. The stuff is going into the river. In the name of God, a grant is a grant and they should get it.

We are left in a situation where we have 14,400 people out of homes; 4,400 of who are children. It is shameful action by the Government.

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