Fergal Browne (Fine Gael)

Will the Leader arrange a debate on housing? I asked previously for a debate on this with specific reference to the elderly, single people and childless couples who are discriminated against by local authorities. Recently a person who came to my office told me how he was sleeping on a friend's couch. His marriage had broken up and he was paying his former wife €1,800 per month in maintenance and mortgage charges, but he could not go on the local authority housing list because, in theory, he had a house. He could not go on the affordable housing list either, because he was considered too rich. Such people are discriminated against. If he has to go to court to seek custody of the children, the judge will ask whether he has suitable accommodation, which of course he has not. We need a debate on this issue.