Michael D'Arcy (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Victor Boyhan raised the issue of social and affordable housing. I believe that all of the conversation has been about social housing to the detriment of affordable housing. A good local authority affordable housing scheme has been on the books for years but it has not been used for years because the market has cancelled it out. The market has gobbled up the affordable housing scheme. In some areas it is cheaper to buy on the private market than to buy a house in an affordable housing scheme. That is a mistake.

There is potentially a huge benefit in the €750 million for the smaller builders and for so many people on the average pay, that is, €25,000 to €35,000, which is the average industrial wage. Dublin is in a different space because it is much more expensive in Dublin. We have not been good enough in this area but in this budget there is the likes of the €750 million which will flow for non-NAMA debtors. I made a huge error earlier. I apologise. I said it was only for NAMA debtors. It is for non-NAMA debtors.

I like to think I have touched on the general issues raised. If there are some that I missed, I apologise. I will try to get back to the Senators again. We do not have to agree on this. I will always respect the Senators' position and their right to disagree with me. I will always listen to their position and will not interrupt them. As I see it, the problem in Irish politics for the past number of years is disrespect. As politicians, we should not be disrespectful of each other. We can achieve far more together than working apart and beating each other up.I have been in the other room, as I call it, a couple of times and I have been here with legislation. I have done my best to work with people to get legislation through and I will always try to do so. That is the way I am and that is the way I operate. If people want to work with me, by all means, do so; I will always try to accommodate that. I would like to talk to Senator Ruane again regarding those aspects of training funds and employer-led courses. We are in a different place. Within a couple of weeks of my appointment as a member of Government, I used the phrase "lost decade". The next decade will be different. If we can participate better as politicians, everybody will benefit.