Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The good news Senator Craughwell is that unemployment is decreasing and there are more people at work now that at any time in the history of our State. Senator Craughwell was in Belfast when I made the point on the Order of Business about the increase in wages, but we will have a debate on that in due course.

I referred to Senator Conway-Walsh's comments and the important point is that in a post-Brexit era it is about listening to and working with Border communities.

Senator Humphreys spoke about the defective housing in housing estates. The Irish Times ran a series of articles on the matter. The worry for all of us, and the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government is not wrong, is that there is an open-ended liability if that is the line we follow. I agree with Senators Humphreys and Wilson that there is a need to go after those responsible. I have been in apartment complexes where one could put a car through the hole in the wall. In my city of Cork, one such apartment block was demolished. I am aware of Priory Hall. I agree with Members that we need to find a solution but it is a complex issue and has to be balanced by addressing the needs of the residents who bought apartments and houses in good faith and the responsibilities of the developer and the insurance companies. I will be happy to have the Minister come to the House to have a debate on the matter. We may not get a solution to it that might to the liking of Members but I will be happy to have a debate because I am aware that some councils have spent money on it.