Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

First, I wish to pay tribute to a great Irish patriot, Mr. Seán Lemass, who died on today's date 50 years ago. He was a democratic, practical and visionary republican. He believed that social and economic goals should not be in conflict, but should be achieved at the same time. That is the reason the Lemass era was defined by expanded access to education, new social supports, health services and social housing, the opportunity to have jobs, the attraction of foreign direct investment and, of course, working in co-operation with other European countries. It is important that we reflect on his legacy today. The goals he had are still important today. Thank you, a Chathaoirligh, for allowing me the opportunity to mention that.

There are other issues I wish to raise, one of which is driver tests. We all know there is a massive waiting list of approximately 100,000 throughout the country. Kildare has one of the highest waiting lists outside Dublin and Cork, with more than 5,000 people on the waiting list for Naas. We all accept the reasons there could not be driver tests over the last few months, but at this point there is an absolute need to ramp up tests. I welcome the recruitment of more testers and I am aware the Minister is considering the addition of new test centres. I suggest that Kildare be one of them. We also must look at recommencing driver theory tests in conjunction with that.

I also wish to raise an issue we all are greatly concerned about, the many challenges facing people who want to have their own home. Every day, I and every other Member deal with people who are trying to acquire a home, be it through social housing, renting, planning to build or buying privately. Indeed, those who are trying to buy privately are being pitted against local authorities, approved housing bodies and, as we know from the last week, institutional investors. We absolutely must take away the financial advantage that has been given to international investment funds. This must be a priority for us as we move forward.

Thank you, a Chathaoirligh, for giving me the opportunity to raise those items.