Michael Mullins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I hope what Senator Paschal Mooney has outlined is a rumour. We all know the tremendous work being done by the various schemes in rural Ireland. I am confident that it is the Government's intention to continue those schemes, even if revamped.

I ask the Leader to arrange for a debate on our return, on the innovative Government strategy, Construction 2020, launched yesterday. It is a worthwhile strategy designed to help families find affordable, good quality, homes throughout the country, particularly in Dublin. In 2006, at the height of the property bubble, 93,000 units were built while in 2013 only 8,300 homes were built, a reduction of 91,000. The aim is to treble the housing output to about 30,000 units per year up to 2020, which would provide 60,000 jobs in the construction sector. The Government is intent on supporting a recovery of the construction sector based on the highest international standards.

Members will agree that we never want to see another Priory Hall or more pyrite housing estates. The new building regulations introduced on 1 March set out the minimum standards required for building a house. This is a welcome development. I hope many thousands of construction workers who are on the live register will return to gainful employment as this address the housing crisis that is beginning to emerge, particularly in Dublin and other cities throughout the country.

I would appreciate if the Leader and Members would support a call made yesterday by Amnesty International for the release of an Irish citizen, Ibrahim Halawa, who is imprisoned in Egypt since 14 August, without referral of his case to court for trial. He was a minor when arrested from the Fateh mosque on 17 August and is accused of violence that took place on 16 and 17 August in Ramses Square. He is one of thousands held in prison for broad and vague accusations, including attacking security forces and hindering the work of public institutions. Thousands of people are facing the same accusations without the Egyptian authorities establishing individual criminal responsibility in these cases. I call for access to a fair trial, including an independent, fair and impartial investigation, and his release if nothing is proved against him. I am sure Members would support the call that the Egyptian authorities refer his case to trial or release him. I ask the Leader to convey our concerns to the attention of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Eamon Gilmore. As this issue was raised at the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs yesterday we would like further support from this House.