David Cullinane (Sinn Fein)

I apologise but I want an acknowledgement that the letter was received and that those issues will be raised.

I welcome the statement by the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport that a review of the taxi industry will be commissioned. It is timely for us to have a discussion on the future of the industry. While the review will focus on unsavoury practices in the industry, which were highlighted in a recent "Prime Time Investigates" programme, issues of concern to taxi drivers across the State also need to be addressed. There are too many taxis on the road, particularly in County Waterford, and it is timely and proper for this House to be part of the discussion the Minister wants to have on the future of the industry.

I refer to the issue of housing. The recent CSO housing statistics highlighted a further 1% decrease in house prices in April. This points up the need to have a discussion on housing issues. There are major problems, which I am sure the Leader will accept, in respect of social housing because Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000 is no longer available to local authorities, funding for new building has dried up and long-term leasing has not been as successful as hoped because landlords are not buying into the scheme while debt forgiveness and repossessions also need to be discussed. It is timely for the House to have a full and comprehensive discussion about the future of housing, especially social housing.