Sean Barrett (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Members on all sides of the House who spoke in favour of the National Mortgage and Housing Corporation Bill 2015 last night. I think the records will be most interesting. We were asked to combat the problems of homelessness and high housing costs in Ireland. I do not believe the financial institutions or the building sector, as they are currently constituted, will solve those problems. That is why I am proposing the changes set out in the Bill. It is particularly important for the Senators on the Government side who supported the Bill so strongly last night, and whose support I deeply appreciate, to raise this matter within their parties, because the permanent government does not like what we were doing last night. I think the Seanad has to assert itself. The fear was that even though everybody spoke in favour of the Bill, it would not have passed if it was put to a vote. It is still on the Order Paper. I hope there will be a more open mind in the permanent government in the future. We have to look at these institutions. Why is there such a huge mark-up on mortgages? Why are house prices rising so rapidly? Why is the ratio of house prices to average earnings so high in this country? While it was important to rescue the banks, it is equally important that we tackle homelessness and the housing crisis. I hope the debate will continue on the Government side. It is very important that it does, especially in light of the interesting and informative statements that were made last night.