Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I want to talk about the Housing (Homeless Families) Bill that was discussed in Dáil Éireann yesterday. I welcome the Government support for it. This is a Labour Party Private Members' Bill which attempts to compel the housing authorities to recognise the needs of children and families who become homeless, which is valid. I am greatly encouraged by the response of both parties to the confidence and supply agreement that underpins this current Government, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. They clearly indicated yesterday in the other House that they would support this very important legislation, which has to be acknowledged. It is great to see that sort of co-operation in the Houses of the Oireachtas.

The Fine Gael Minister with responsibility for housing, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, told the Dáil yesterday that the Bill was well-intentioned and that it would receive Government approval and support, which is to be welcomed. Deputy Barry Cowen, Fianna Fáil spokesperson on housing, said in the Dáil yesterday that his party would be supporting the legislation, which also has to be welcomed. It is important to note that, speaking in the Dail on the Bill yesterday, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, who is sponsoring the Bill and is the housing spokesperson for the Labour Party, said that when families present as homeless, they should be recognised and there should be particular reference to the needs of their children, and that the relevant housing authorities should have regard to this.

This is important. We all know there is currently no explicit recognition in law of the need of homeless families, as a family unit, or of the importance of keeping the family unit together in terms of statutory legislation, regulation and requirements. I believe this legislation, which I have read, will underpin and give status to this important issue. Hopefully, it can be fast-tracked through the Houses of the Oireachtas, given it has such broad appeal and support. I am sure other parties that I have not mentioned are committed to it as well, but those are the parties I quoted from as they were on the record during yesterday's Dáil debate.

I thank the Leader for organising and facilitating a discussion this afternoon in regard to councillors' conditions, which is welcome. It is something we have all talked about in this House and we will have an opportunity this afternoon to engage with the Minister.