Joanna Byrne (Louth, Sinn Fein)

I thank the Independent Technical Group for bringing this Private Member's motion to the House. I have to ask directly whether the Minister for Housing and this Government understand why all the Opposition parties are continually putting forward motions on housing so early in this new Dáil term. Why do the Government's amendments to those many motions on housing all say the same thing? Why do the amendments to the many housing motions always deny the fact there is a housing crisis, which is in fact a housing emergency, ignore the fact housing lists are getting longer and ignore the causes that have made over 15,000 people, including thousands of children, require emergency accommodation? Why do the Government's amendments do nothing to address high rents? According to Daft last month, average rents across the State have surpassed €2,000 per month and are climbing faster than at any stage in the past 20 years, which includes the Celtic tiger period. The Government's housing policies and lack of action are causing another exodus of Irish people when they should have an opportunity to have a home, raise a family and live, work and play here. It is reasonable for them to seek opportunities to own a home elsewhere but it is utterly unreasonable for this Government to follow the same housing policies for a decade and to continue down the path that is forcing Irish people to leave this country. We are not complaining, as those on the opposite side have put it, but offering well thought-out and costed alternatives to the Government's failed housing plans. It is time for the Minister for housing and the Government to stop living with their heads in the clouds and engage with the Opposition parties to address this crisis once and for all.

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