James Bannon (Fine Gael)

While we all know the words of the Government in the run-up to the previous general election were cheap, for those dependent on it to take action to ease the housing crisis, they were a mockery. Promises have become this Government's hallmark, but empty words have a habit of coming back to haunt politicians. This country is tired of platitudes and worthless rhetoric. Fine words promised houses, schools, health and disability services and so forth. Where are they now?

It is a national disgrace that despite our comparative wealth and prosperity, we cannot provide accommodation for our homeless. Concurrent with the growth in waiting lists there has been minimal growth in the provision of local authority social housing, with overall stock since 1996 rising by only 4,395 units or 4.47%.

I support the motion and condemn the Government for its failure, yesterday's gesture aside, to adequately fund local government. As we are all aware, inadequate funding is forcing local authorities to set exorbitantly high development levies which will result in higher prices for new homes, leaving young families, the weak and the vulnerable in an increasingly intolerable position. These levies will hinder the development of new businesses, cause excessive hardship in rural areas and damage the competitiveness of our economy.