Diarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail)

It is reported today that the number of vacant houses has reduced and that the number of ghost estates has reduced. I commend the Minister of State with responsibility for housing, Deputy Penrose, on his work in the area since he was appointed. As I have done on a number of occasions in recent weeks, I ask the Leader to invite the Minister of State to the House to give us a progress report on what he proposes to achieve in the next 12 months or so. I acknowledge that work has been done, some of it in my county, but much more remains to be done in this regard. Before local authorities take ownership of any more houses, they should conduct an audit of the houses they own at present. Throughout the Twenty-six Counties houses owned by local authorities are lying vacant, in some cases for up to two years. Before they take charge of any more houses, they should deal with the houses already in their control.

I support the call by Senator Conway a few weeks ago that we should have a debate on the National Lottery. There is at least one game to be played every day. It seems to be raking in the money but is not distributing very much of it to worthy causes. I seek an urgent debate on the National Lottery. What is it doing with the money and where is it going?