Paul Bradford (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I agree with Senator Aideen Hayden, first, on the genuine crisis in the house rental market and the difficulties with the rent supplement scheme and, second, the argument in regard to NAMA which, in a sense, feeds the problem and is part of the solution. I dealt with one or two cases in which individuals who were attempting to purchase properties from NAMA found it difficult because, for some reason, the agency appeared to be trying to sell an entire portfolio of properties. From a housing policy perspective we should try to engage in dialogue with NAMA to ensure that where genuine housing applicants are in a position financially to purchase, they will be deemed to be priority clients. That would help from a housing policy perspective.

My second observation is not really one to which the Leader can respond. Officially the British general election campaign has started today following the dissolution of parliament. The date for the general election was flagged in advance, not by weeks or months but years. It is a sign of a mature democracy when for years in advance people know when the next general election will take place. There is a need for economic and political certainty, given that, as we have been advised, the general election will take place next February or March. We should all be mature and strong enough in our political convictions to cope with a campaign of seven, eight or nine months. It would be good, therefore, if at the earliest opportunity the Taoiseach and the Government gave advance notice that the general election will take place in February or March. The political establishment in Britain or British society has not collapsed simply because the people have known for the past three years when the next general election would take place. If we knew the actual date, we could have a mature and constructive debate with the public well in advance of the general election, not weeks before it. From the perspective of ensuring political certainty and engaging in political debate, it would be useful for everybody if the Taoiseach was to be specific in setting the date, whether it was in October, November, February or March. Nothing collapsed in the United Kingdom in knowing the date four years in advance and nothing would collapse here if we knew the date seven or eight months in advance.