Pádraig Rice (Cork South-Central, Social Democrats)

I, too, welcome the visitors in the Gallery. I congratulate my colleague Deputy Ahern on introducing his first of legislation in the House. It is a significant achievement and great to see.

As we all know, housing is the biggest challenge facing the country. We need to consider all measures possible to address this challenge. Part of that involves increased transparency and accountability, better data and more information. That is what we are try to achieve here. I am disappointed but not surprised that the Government is opposing this legislation and an increase in transparency. It has never had an interest in greater transparency in this area.

I have to dispute some of the arguments put forward. The Minister of State stated that it is legally challenging. Maybe he should engage with the Attorney General's office. I am sure some of the lawyers who work for the Department could overcome the challenges - if the Minister of State thinks they exist - and draft legislation

On the broader issues relating to housing, none of the Department's housing schemes are working. There are affordable houses in Cork city that cost €400,000. On what planet is a house costing €400,000 deemed to be affordable by the State? The Minister needs to reconsider the position. We need greater transparency in the costs around housing and around the profits made by developers. Tat is what we are trying to achieve here.

Sometimes when I hear Government representatives talk about housing, I wonder whether they have the same type of constituents that I have. Do they get the same emails that I get? We have record levels of homelessness, people in desperate situations and house prices and rents are soaring, When measures are put forward to improve things, those in government oppose them and present matters in a way to make it look as if things are going great. The narrative from the Government needs to change. It needs to be more reflective of what is happening for citizens and reflect the desperate situations people are in. The Government would do well to engage with the Opposition on our proposals and suggestions on how we can progress matters because that is the only way we will get to solutions.

Two weeks ago, the Minister for Justice, Deputy Jim O'Callaghan, stated that if the Social Democrats bring forward legislation, the Government would give it serious consideration and would engage with it. I would like to see a mentality of actually engaging on legislation, of us trying to progress it together and of trying to put forward solutions, because what happens every time we bring something forward at present is that it is shot down by the Government. It opposes everything across the board. Whether it is a motion or a Bill, the Government opposes it and does not try to work with us to bring forward real solutions for people and improve things.

As I stated earlier today, there is real lack of Government legislation. We have statements after statements but no legislation. More Government time could be devoted to bringing forward legislation and to progressing some of Bills of this nature that are put forward. I published a Bill last week. I would like to work with the Government to get it over the line. We need to work together on solutions for the people of Ireland. As stated at the outset, housing is the biggest issue facing the country. We need to put forward solutions. Greater transparency is part of that.

I again commend my colleague on bringing forward this legislation.

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