Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

I am pleased to address the House in support of the amendment. I would like to set out, once again, the main elements of the Government's approach to housing and update Members on the positive effects this approach is having.

A similar motion is being debated in other House later. I thank the Labour Party for giving the Government and myself an important opportunity two weeks prior to the local and European elections to outline the positive progress we have made. Our record is second to none and my contributions to both debates will demonstrate the Labour Party motions were not well thought out. I am heartened that the party used Private Members' time in both Houses to raise the housing issue. I feel good because if this is the most significant issue its members have encountered on the doorsteps, things much be much better than a number of commentators thought. This is a positive motion by the party.

Housing remains at the top of the Government's agenda. Despite unprecedented demand for housing, fuelled primarily by rapid economic growth and demographic changes, we have a proud record of achievement in delivering housing across a broad spectrum of housing needs. The Government is focused on maintaining a high level of housing supply to meet the strong demand and to moderate house prices in this way.

The economy has been booming for the past seven or eight years. The recent census data highlighted a population increase of 8% or 270,000 between 1996 and 2002. The population has not increased to that extent in any other country in the world. A negative side effect of the booming economy has been the return of many emigrants while the number of family units increased by 14% during the period of the census. A greater number of housing units are needed in comparison to ten or 20 years ago but this would be the case even if the population was not increasing.