Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)

The family home is certainly under attack today. Members will remember the floods of last winter and although the floods may have receded, the misery is not yet over for Galway families. Many of the home owners looking to return to the homes they left because of flooding cannot get home insurance. Government Deputies in Galway, with the former Progressive Democrat Deputy, promised that the Taoiseach would intervene with insurance companies to help home owners get home insurance but that has not happened. I ask the Leader to talk to the Taoiseach about the matter and come back to me directly. It would give much solace to Galway families at this time.

I cannot understand how the Government can possibly countenance a property tax at this time when families are hurting so much. Some 350,000 homes are now in negative equity and 30,000 home owners are facing repossession. How can we afford a property tax? The time to introduce such a tax was during the property boom, when it might have taken some of the heat out of the market. I call for a debate on the matter.

Will the Leader indicate what is the impetus behind the planning review instigated by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Gormley? Is he in a position to indicate whom the Minister does not trust? It appears the Minister does not trust planners who are charged with implementing guidelines the Minister lays down. Is it the case that planners are not implementing such guidelines? Senator Ó Brolcháin made a comment in respect of Galway County Council which was not true. I am a former member of that council and dealt with its planners frequently. The individuals concerned state 30% of planning permission refusals they issue on behalf of the council are overturned by An Bord Pleanála, which is the exact opposite to what Senator Ó Brolcháin said. Will the Minister indicate in whom he does not have faith? On this occasion, it appears to be the planners. The Minister appears to be favouring An Taisce. If we allowed that organisation to run wild in County Galway, people would not have any homes. Why is the review being carried out by consultants from outside Ireland? Does the Minister not trust anyone in this country? He is trying to make political capital out of this issue.