Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

That is fine. The debate this afternoon is very timely, given that there appears to be an over-reliance on the construction industry. I congratulate the Minister of State on his appointment but he comes into office at a time when waiting lists are growing, we have an increase in vacant dwellings, there is developer-led planning in society and where the banks have given out money ad nauseam but are now putting pressure on young people in particular.

Twelve months on from the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government taking office, he is absent without leave. We have seen no joined-up thinking regarding the provision of social and affordable housing. It is laughable for the Acting Leader to come into the House and speak of a convention on housing. We need leadership from Government rather than more talk and consultation.

I agree with Senator Boyle on the housing stock issue. Many of the houses built are in appalling conditions and must be looked at. Will the Minister of State give a guarantee today that the new building regulations will not be cut as a result of today's Government announcement on spending freezes? How does the Minister intend to reduce the waiting list for social and affordable housing in light of Dublin City Council's decision to suspend its affordable housing panel? A national sea change is needed to make housing affordable and available to the thousands of young people who dream of having their own home.

I concur with the views expressed on single people, particularly men, who are discriminated against by local authorities. Positive discrimination in favour of men is required in the area of social housing.

Senator Butler noted that the 2008 housing programme is intact. He has no cause to celebrate because the current position is an indictment of the Government's mismanagement of the housing sector and economy.

This debate is important because thousands of young people worry about whether they will ever own their own home or secure a council house. The apparatus of State has let them down. I am intrigued by the Minister of State's comment that the level of delivery under Part V is experiencing a surge in 2008. He should show me where in County Cork this surge is taking place. This is Ireland, not Iraq, and there will be no surge in affordable housing. We need to make housing affordable and offer young people an opportunity to buy homes.

Thousands of houses in the private rental sector are in terrible condition and landlords offer any standard of accommodation. Action is required on standards. Who will stand up to landlords and tell them they must deliver or be forced out of the market. Why did the Private Residential Tenancies Board close its public office? Where will people go to make complaints about landlords, the quality of housing or tenants?

The Government's legacy will be one of empty buildings, high rents and high mortgage repayments, problems it has done precious little to address. As Senator Coffey noted, Part V has not achieved its objective. Developers are opting out of the scheme and handing over money to local authorities instead. Local authorities must be able to require developers to deliver housing under the social and affordable scheme. Young people need to fulfil the dream of having their own property. Immediate reform is needed in the area of housing. Nurses and teachers who were once able to buy houses on their own have no hope of securing an affordable home.

On the issue of sustainable communities, the challenge facing us is to provide proper infrastructure, transport facilities and planning and ensure local authorities take areas in charge.