Cyprian Brady (Fianna Fail)

I also welcome the Minister and the opportunity to discuss housing in general. The housing culture in this country is slowly changing. My own experience is of Dublin's inner city. When one considers the changes that have taken place there in recent years, it is obvious that our historical preference for home ownership is changing slowly. I want to record my admiration and recognition of the people in the 1980s — politicians and officials — who came up with the idea of tax incentives for construction, particularly in inner city areas. Those changes led to the construction boom, which has lasted for over 15 years. It continues to provide affordable accommodation and, as the Minister pointed out, to employ a large proportion of our population. At the last count, almost 225,000 people were employed in the construction industry. That would not have come about if we had the Bacon reports in the 1980s or without the foresight and the courage of those who came up with the scheme of incentives that kicked off the construction boom which continues today.

My experience of local authority housing came about during my time with Dublin City Council. I understand from the Minister that up to 20% of local authorities throughout the country have not fulfilled their housing requirements this year. This indicates that there are problems throughout the country but my experience with Dublin City Council has been positive. There is no comparison between the quality and design of the housing Dublin City Council is constructing today and that which obtained in respect of the housing it previously constructed. In the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, flat complexes were erected and Legoland housing built and neither had the requisite facilities or infrastructure. There is no comparison in terms of what is being done today, particularly in the inner city but also in the suburbs. The provision of infrastructure and proper planning and design of local authority housing from the outset is key.

The debate is raging at city council level in Dublin on whether to take the route of refurbishment of flat complexes or provide what is commonly referred to as "own door" housing. There is no argument in that regard. The only option is to provide people with proper family homes. When the Sherriff Street area was being developed, which was then a notorious local authority area, a section providing for the inclusion in the design of apartment blocks was included in the plan for the development of the area, despite the objections of a number of people. That was 15 or more years ago. It now transpires that those apartments blocks will have to be knocked down because they are at the root of many social problems. Concern about such problems was highlighted at that time, yet some local representatives encouraged people to remain living in poor conditions. The potential problems highlighted at the time have materialised.

There is no debate over whether flat complexes should be retained or demolished and replaced with housing units. Land and space in Dublin city is at a premium but good design and planning will pay for themselves in the long run and will save a great deal down the line in terms of helping to prevent the emergence of social problems. A prime example of what can be done, and the success of a scheme when properly developed, is the Ballymun regeneration project. Anyone who drives through that area will note that it has been transformed, with the emphasis on own door, modern family housing. As Senator O'Toole said, those housing units are cost effective in terms of energy consumption. This is where planning and design at the early stages is crucial. As the Minister pointed out, 77,000 units — four times the European average — were provided last year. The highest level of that provision was in Dublin.

We must continue to support first-time buyers. I take issue with Senator Bannon on a point he raised. When I bought my House in the early 1980s, it was as difficult to buy then as it is now. I would like a comparative study carried out on the relative cost of housing and incomes at the time to ascertain how the two compare. There is also the issue of people buying second homes for investment purposes. Families are investing in properties for the benefit of their children, their pensions or whatever.

Interest rates at the time were excruciatingly high. The then Taoiseach, Garrett FitzGerald, presided over a period when interest rates were at their highest in the history of the State.