Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Leader.

Irish Water's seven-year plan will require to be debated once people have had an opportunity to read it. Some of the figures on which it is based lead one to believe it is merely an aspirational document rather than something that can actually be achieved. For example, it suggests there will be an 80% compliance rate and that €2 billion will be raised through water charges and taxes. There is also a good deal in it about investment in water infrastructure, which we all want to see. We could, therefore, have a reasoned debate on the matter, for which time should be set aside in the Seanad schedule. I am aware that the Budget Statement will be coming up for discussion shortly, but this is a very important issue and we do not all agree on the Government's approach. Members need an opportunity to go through the plan in order that we will be able to debate it with the Minister to see what the Government's plans are.

Before the House rises, whenever that may be - I take at face value the Leader's words yesterday that he thinks we will be here until next year - there is a need for another full debate on housing, not just homelessness, in respect of which there has been a complete failure. Homelessness figures in Dublin and around the country have doubled since the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Alan Kelly, set up his task force over 12 months ago following the tragic death of Mr. Jonathan Corrie which spurred the Government into taking some action. It is not just a Government issue. From reports of the Committee of Public Accounts, local authorities have actually refused housing offered by NAMA. All of these issues need to be teased out. We also need to look at the people who will be made homeless by virtue of the land and conveyancing Act which the Government passed over two years ago and which makes it easier for banks to repossess homes.Over 6,000 civil bills, which mark the commencement of repossession proceedings against homeowners, were issued in the past two quarters. These issues need to be teased out. This situation has reached crisis point but the Government continues to limp towards a general election without doing everything possible to protect homeowners. It must ensure every option to enable homeowners to remain in their homes is explored, regardless of whether the banks take ownership of them. There is a need for a fulsome debate on this issue with the Ministers for the Environment, Community and Local Government and Finance. It should not be forgotten that it was the current Minister for Finance who watered down the protections in place for homeowners under the code of conduct on mortgage arrears. This Government tore the previous code of conduct asunder and made it easier for the banks to repossess people's homes and that is what is happening.