Martin Mansergh (Fianna Fail)

I had not intended contributing to the debate. I came to the House to listen to what was being said on this important issue. In the spirit of the Leader, I compliment Senator Coghlan on producing this legislation. It is a remarkable tribute to the Leader that she effectively went to the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Cullen, to act as advocate for it. That is in the best tradition of the cross-party spirit which reigns on many subjects in this House.

It is clear the stage payment system as applied to housing estates is an abuse. It takes advantage of young couples wishing to acquire their first home. In principle, it is wrong. I accept that in certain instances such as one-off housing, to which the Minister of State referred, there may be a case for a limited operation of this system. However, there is no case for it in medium or large private housing developments. The principle of the Bill is good.

Senator Hanafin referred at length to the Government's housing achievements which are strong in terms of supply. However, there is no doubt that a serious problem exists regarding the provision of affordable housing which is accessible to young people. I have no doubt that was an issue in the recent local election, especially in the greater Dublin area. I am told it was an issue in certain constituencies where local authorities failed to engage in the provision of social and affordable housing. It cannot be to the satisfaction of anybody in this House, especially those who belong to a party which has been in Government for some time, that it is so difficult for young people to purchase a home. Most things are easier for today's generation than they were for us and our parents. However, that is, unfortunately, not necessarily the case when it comes to acquiring a home. It is becoming more difficult to do so. Young people are frustrated because they are unable to follow in their parents' footsteps.

Sufficiently well-off people may be able to assist their children and so on. It ought to be the case that people can access the housing market without having to commute 60, 80 or 100 miles to do so. The current situation is deeply unsatisfactory. I am not interested in discussing this issue in a party political broadcast manner. It is an issue to which we have not yet found a solution. I was present at some of the previous Government's deliberations and know the issue of housing policy was given a great deal of priority. The three Bacon reports dealt with this issue which is of great concern and worry to the Taoiseach and Government. Increasing supply to the maximum extent is part of the answer. There may not be immediate results; one may only see them when one has sustained supply over a number of years much the same as happened in terms of unemployment in the late 1980s and 1990s when following a period of sustained growth, the jobs came. Perhaps that is what will happen with housing.

A social problem exists to which there are no easy or obvious answers. If there were, we would, between us, have adopted them. I encourage the Minister to continue to monitor the issue and to try to bring social and affordable housing more into focus. There is no point in entering into a war or confrontation with builders and developers which may result in supply drying up. In housing, as in health, we run the risk sometimes of listening more to the suppliers than those who need and buy houses. We must sharpen our focus on policy in the years ahead. There is much unfinished business in this area. I hope that in the next two or three years we will make substantial in-roads into dealing with the problem and that young people will not feel so aggrieved that at a time of plenty and better opportunities and income they are unable to access affordable houses.

While Senator Coghlan's Bill deals only with a small part of the problem, he is to be commended for bringing it forward. Its principle is good and should be adopted with, perhaps, some exceptions and nuances. Obviously, it is the prerogative of the Government to incorporate the principle into some broader legislation. I do not have a difficulty with that. I compliment Senator Coghlan on bringing the matter to debate.