Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It seems that the Seanad seeks a role for itself but then votes measures down. Therefore, I shall call a vote on the motion if no debate is arranged because that is the proper thing to do. We can talk all we like about dealing with EU legislation, yet when a motion is tabled it is passed without debate. That is not a good way for the Seanad to operate or deal with business.

The substantive issue that I want to raise relates to Priory Hall. Before I am told to stop talking about a matter before the courts I shall state that I shall not comment on a court action. This week Dublin City Council lodged a Supreme Court appeal against a High Court decision for it to provide temporary accommodation to Priory Hall residents. The city council has now returned to the courts to deal with the matter. The problem with the situation is that the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Hogan has sat on the sideline while the residents must go to court and fight their case while Dublin City Council, the housing authority for the area, drags people through the highest court in the land. The families in the case are blameless, the city council is trying to remove itself from its role as housing authority and, unfortunately, the Government has sat on the sideline and not provided any answers to the people who have been left basically homeless. The local authority did not do its job at the outset of the construction phase and the Government of the day had said that the matters are outside of its remit.

It is a matter for the Supreme Court to decide whenever it reaches its decision. However, I call on the Minister to intervene in the situation but not in the court case. I want him to give some practical help to the residents. On that note, I propose an amendment to the Order of Business, that we call the Minister to the Seanad to explain his position regarding the Priory Hall residents and the Government's action in respect of them. I also want him, more generally, to explain his position and the updated position on homes with pyrite.