Paul Bradford (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I support Senator Cullinane's call for a debate on housing. I have raised this matter on previous occasions in the House. In view of the fact that there are massive housing lists in place at present, it is important to pose the question as to why so many thousands of people are obliged to live in dreadfully inadequate conditions when there are tens of thousands of vacant accommodation units throughout the country. As in the past, the relevant Departments must come together to resolve this matter. This State has experienced many economic problems since its foundation. During periods of economic difficulty in the 1930s, the 1950s, the 1970s and the 1980s, the then Governments - which were of a variety of political hues - invested money in housing programmes. Such programmes ensured people were given decent homes in which to live. The thinking which obtained in respect of this matter in the past must come to the fore again. We must try to deal with the housing crisis because the obvious social problems and problems relating to crime to which it is giving rise need to be addressed. I support the call for an urgent debate on this matter.

I wish to comment briefly on the current economic situation and the Government's decision earlier today to re-engage with the trade union movement. I support that decision because talk is better than confrontation. However, we must be realistic in our discussions with the trade union movement and with the public sector unions in particular. In that context, we must ensure that no one becomes removed from reality. The Government must save €1 billion on public sector pay and pensions. We must ensure we have a public sector in respect of which we can afford a pay and pensions bill and which the economy can afford to sustain into the future. There may have been difficulties with the deal that was previously on offer and perhaps it might be possible to consider a tweaking of that arrangement. However, the message must go out loud and clear from those on the political side of the debate that the €1 billion in savings to which I refer must come from within the public sector. Taxpayers and those in the private sector can pay no more and those in the latter sector who lost their jobs can afford to lose no more. That is the economic reality in which this country still finds itself. That reality must be taken into account in the context of any negotiations which take place.