Dominic Hannigan (Labour)

I join with other Senators in welcoming last night's news of the freedom of Ingrid Betancourt. Rather than issuing her with an invitation, what she most needs is to spend time with her friends and family and perhaps she needs space prior to the descent of the world's media on her.

With regard to the debate on the economy which we will have next week, I wish to speak about affordable housing and how the Government can help to kick-start the construction industry. Not many years ago, the previous Taoiseach spoke about building thousands of new affordable homes at the old military site in Gormanston, County Meath. The housing figures in Meath show a need for more affordable housing. In neighbouring Kildare, hundreds of people are waiting on the affordable housing list in Celbridge. We know the stalled affordable scheme in Dublin is causing concern. The Government can kick-start the construction industry by investing more in affordable housing schemes. Will the Leader impress this upon the Minister and perhaps arrange for us to have a statement from him on the matter?