Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister to the House. I know this is only one strand of his very important work on affordable housing in all its shapes and forms and I look forward to the Bill completing all Stages in both Houses. As the Minister has said, having affordable housing on offer this year is a strong strapline.

Amendment No. 3 was first tabled and withdrawn by the Minister's colleague, Senator Fitzpatrick, on Committee Stage. I have made only one change to it in the amendment I have tabled. None of this is my genius, it is Senator Fitzpatrick's. The only thing I did was remove reference to the date in September because it was very prescriptive.

I am a bit disappointed because every Member of the House spoke in favour of the amendment on Committee Stage and I will read some excerpts from their contributions because they are important. I understand the significance of the amendment. It is good and makes common sense. It is constructive that all parties recognise something that is good, in particular the amendment that Senator Fitzpatrick tabled. She has huge experience in housing and local government. She works very constructively on the committee of which I am a member also, as does Senator Cummins, with regard to housing, planning, local government and heritage.

This is a common sense practical amendment that will provide greater clarity and transparency on how our local authorities tackle the housing crisis so we can ensure we are operating with 100% efficiency. Housing authority affordable housing means plans so it is important. There was also talk on Committee Stage of an annual account to be given to the Houses of the Oireachtas and this is important with regard to our oversight role in legislation and being supportive. It is in the interests of the Minister and the Government to have cross-party support.

We all know we have a crisis in affordable housing. No one has a monopoly on housing. I am a person who has always said I do not care who is providing the houses or who is building them. I have no ideological hang-up about where the money comes from, where the construction comes from and who is doing it. Everyone has to make some sort of a profit and cover their costs in whatever they do in any walk of life in any business. Everyone has to put a crust on the table at some point in any work or project they undertake. I am very supportive of it.

When the amendment was discussed on Committee Stage, many people spoke in support of it. Senator Crowe asked that Senator Fitzpatrick's amendment, which he supported and agreed with, be accepted. Senator Cummins said he supported the thrust of his colleague's amendment and asked if the Minister of State could take on board the thrust of the amendment if not the exact words and that if this could be done on Report Stage it would be a great addition to the Bill. Senator Pauline O'Reilly welcomed the amendment. Senator Byrne, the Minister's colleague, said he strongly supported the amendment proposed by his colleague. Senator Casey supported the amendment. I am giving them all a name check, which is very interesting. Senator Seery Kearney supported the thrust and principle of Senator Fitzpatrick's amendment. Senator Higgins strongly supported what the Senator was saying. Senator Keogan supported the amendment. Senator Murphy strongly supported the amendment of his colleague, Senator Fitzpatrick, and said it was great. Senator Dolan also spoke. The Minister himself said he very much agreed with the amendment and supported the thrust of it.

I want to be constructive here today. I want us to get through our business quickly today and get to the point. We know where we are, each and every one of us. We know the positions we have on it. I hope I have made a strong enough case endorsing what the Senator and spokesperson on housing from the Minister's party has advocated. I hope that today in the Seanad, rather than in the Dáil, the Minister will agree to the amendment.