Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

Senator Brady mentioned the international index of new dwelling units built per 1,000 head of population. We stand at 15 new units per 1,000. That is way ahead of any other European state. The corresponding figure for the UK is three, for Sweden is one and for Portugal is nine. No other country is at double figures. Our rate of building of new houses is extraordinary. In ten years we have gone from 22,000 a year to over 60,000 this year. Everyone in the system, the Government, local authorities and builders, should acknowledge that they have been successful in that respect.

Homelessness has been mentioned. Government tries to provide the strategy, the plan and the money.