Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I was not talking about that Minister. I have not read the comments to which Senator Darragh O'Brien refers.

I welcome yesterday's announcement by the Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, of a two year home building initiative, under which €68 million will be spent nationwide on new social housing. That is a most important initiative, given the demand for such housing. Increasing supply is a key priority for the Government which it intends to address. The initiative is greatly welcome. The Government is providing 5,000 new social housing units per annum through a variety of means, including leasing and securing NAMA units.

All of that work is to be greatly welcomed and I wish the Minister of State the very best with it. I am delighted to read this morning about the allocations she has made to the various local authorities throughout the country.