Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)

The fact we are here today discussing amendments so soon after the Government's watershed planning Act of 2024 confirms that it did not get the reforms right first time. Sinn Féin called for additional scrutiny back then and, par for the course, we were not listened to.

The issues this Bill seeks to address should have been part of the discussions on the original legislation. Again, we are asking the Government to accept Sinn Féin's amendments to this Bill to strengthen the legislation. I note these technical changes will enable local authorities to retain a number of functions until such time as the relevant sections of the 2024 Act are commenced. It is important that local authorities remain central to planning. They know the needs of the individual areas, not least the growing numbers on the housing waiting lists in each municipal area. It is only fitting that they retain oversight relevant to regional, spatial and economic development plans and local area plans.

In my own constituency of Mayo, I see first-hand the pressure council staff are under to cope with the housing emergency, as they try their best to provide housing and accommodation against a never abating stream of people in dire housing need. I will ask the Minister to open up the reserved residential-zoned land in areas where the council identifies housing need. The reason is I know local builders who want to and are ready build. There is one in particular I approached the council with last year who will not get a decision on an application for a year. Some 12 months is an awful long time for people to be homeless. We do not have any homeless accommodation in the north County Mayo but there are things that can be done there. If residential-zoned land was opened up at the discretion of the council, we could make progress.

I also raise with the issue of finance for home building. The setup fees demanded by banks are ridiculous and are without foundation. It is crazy the numbers I hear from builders. The interest rate on payments of 10% and 15% to builders are also not feasible. They are making everything unaffordable. As the Minister will know, Sinn Féin has brought forward its own housing plan, A Home of Your Own, which would give local authorities a central role in the building of homes.

Over five years, it could deliver 125,000 social and affordable homes, which would really make a difference. We would shift from the Government's preference for large private developers to empowering local councils to lead housing delivery, enabling local builders to build. We would also make housing a constitutional right, which it needs to be.

I encourage the Minister to examine those proposals, which would empower local authorities. By contrast, the announcement last week of a league table for local councils on their housing performance is a ploy to deflect the blame for the disgraceful homelessness and housing need figures, for which the Government bears absolute and sole responsibility.

The Minister has to reinstate the tenant in situ scheme. There are families in Mayo who are in fear of being made homeless right now. The short-term solution to that would be to reintroduce the scheme.

I cannot sit down without speaking about those who are in dire need due to defective concrete blocks. Will the legislation be done in the coming days to enable those who are trapped in this situation, either due to the cap or the lower rates, to get the higher rates and go ahead and rebuild their lives?

See this speech in context