Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)

Legal and planning issues need to be addressed, without a doubt, but I agree with Deputy Kenny that the major issues, which we have all been dealing with when we talk to developers, builders, and local authorities, are infrastructure, bureaucracy, high costs and a difficulty drawing down finance for building. As regards this legislation, it is not the way to be doing business. As Deputy Kenny said, we are amending legislation that is not fully in operation at this point. Many of these issues could have been dealt with previously.

In the limited time I have, I would like to bring up the infrastructural issues I raised with the Taoiseach earlier. I refer to Uisce Éireann, the EPA report and the issues around supply. In Dundalk, Greenmount, Tallanstown and Cavan Hill, this is impacting on upwards of approximately 53,000 people. The supply is not sufficiently resilient and there are issues with water quality. We have wastewater issues in my part of Dundalk that impact on planning and affect those houses that are already built. They are talking about interim solutions - interim wastewater treatment systems - at this point for the likes of Haggardstown. That tells me we do not have the infrastructure in place and we need to address the issues as quickly as possible. It is as simple as that.

An issue I bring up again is the fact we need to deal with the capital assistance scheme, CAS, capital advance leasing facility, CALF, schemes and the issues facing people in the disability sector when it comes to delivering houses for those with disabilities.

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