Paul Bradford (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I support Senator Zappone's request for an urgent debate on the housing crisis and on the possible Government response to same. I do not think it required an election campaign for all of us to accept there is a housing crisis, but the Government's response will be key.

We will require a housing solution and not a developer solution. The outgoing Tánaiste, Deputy Gilmore, made an interesting comment last week, which I would like fleshed out further, that he would view the Government's proposal as one which would be supportive of builders and not developers. We must concentrate on that particular phrase because, tragically for this country, our construction policy over the past two decades has not been people-led, Government-led or homeless-led but has been developer-led. A small clique of people have forced decisions on Governments, or have induced Governments to take certain housing policy decisions, which have visited chaos and rack and ruin on this nation. We must ensure Construction 2020 or, one hopes, a variation of it will come into being to look after the genuine housing needs of the people of this country, the homeless and young people who cannot find houses, and not be a plan to suit the so-called construction industry. I hope the debate requested by Senator Zappone and supported by Senator Hayden, as is often the case, will take place and that it will be an open debate where Senators are free to express their views on how housing policy is designed in this country.

On the local election issue, I pay tribute to all the winners and commiserate with all the losers. We must also reflect on the fact that almost half of the people did not vote, which is probably the biggest political statement of all. We are all political anoraks in this House but I watched much of the television coverage and listened to much of the radio coverage and what struck me was that the various party spokespersons spoke about the elections in terms of what they meant for the parties. They made no reference to what the elections meant to the people and what the people actually said. It should not be about whether one party is up or another party is down and what it means for the future plans of political parties or Governments. We must reflect on the message from people and what policy measures the public is asking us to reflect on. That is really what the debate is about.

I support Senator Cullinane's request. I have said this on a number of occasions, not only in this Seanad but in the previous two Seanaid. Each Minister should come to this House to debate their departmental programmes. As Senator O'Donnell said, many of the problems Ministers are only now seeing have been reflected on and debated in this House over the past two years but one would wonder if anybody has been listening. This should be a House of debate and we need Ministers to come to the House regularly. We will make positive suggestions and it is to be hoped they will listen.