Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Last week I asked in advance of the Government's row-back on water charges, which was welcome, if we could have a proper debate in the House. Why are we taking statements today, while the other House will debate a motion tabled by the Government? Perhaps there is a procedural reason for so doing. Is the reason we are taking statements we have no input to financial matters? Obviously, we cannot vote on the issue either.

The issue of water conservation has gone out the window because under the new proposal a flat charge will be imposed, which is a complete row-back. That means that the setting up of Irish Water has been an absolute waste of money. I remind the Government that when we debated the Water Services Bill last year, and even prior to its introduction, it was advised by independent consultants and many in the Opposition that Irish Water should not be set up as a subsidiary of Bord Gáis Energy, that it should be a separate entity. We can debate all of the issues about future privatisation, charging and wastage during the taking of statements, but I am interested in knowing, perhaps there is a procedural reason, why the Government parties in this House have not tabled a motion on Irish Water, as opposed to blandly taking statements?

As the Leader knows, the Central Bank is accepting submissions on future draft guidelines on mortgage lending. Many individuals and parties will submit their views on the draft guidelines which propose, in effect, that an individual or a couple should have a 20% deposit. It would be worth debating the matter in the House as views on the subject differ greatly. As someone who worked in the financial services sector for the guts of 15 years, I know that it is the multiple of salary used that is the most important element. Having a 20% deposit rate for a young couple or an individual will put owning a house or an apartment out of reach for many. It means that people will need a deposit of €60,000 if they wish to buy a house that costs €300,000. Many individuals are caught in a situation where rents have escalated and their ability to save additional income has been greatly diminished. I understand there must be controls to make sure we do not see 100% mortgages in the future, but we do not need to be disproportionate in this regard. We must not consign a raft of people and another generation to a situation where they will not be able to own their home should they wish to do so. Before people start to talk about what happens in the rest of Europe, including Germany and France where people rent for life, I remind them that we have a totally different culture. Also, in some countries there are proper rent controls which we do not have here. As Members will know, in the city and county of Dublin and many other cities across the State rents have increased by between 30% and 50% in the past year alone. I, therefore, ask the Leader to schedule a debate on the issue at an appropriate time. The guidelines may have been published, but the Seanad still could make a submission on the matter.