Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Ar dtús, cuirim fáilte mhór roimh an Aire ar ais go dtí an Teach. The Minister is very welcome to the House on this very important legislation. At the outset, I compliment him on the vigour and determination in the way he has undertaken his role as Minister. I know there is a determination within him to deliver as many sets of keys to as many people as he possibly can during his term.

One thing we all or perhaps should have in common in this House is that we should do all in our power to deliver as many house to as many of our young people as quickly as possible. That should be all of our main goal, aspiration and ambition.

I acknowledge the changes the Minister has incorporated in this legislation. The Minister met with the AILG under the stewardship of its president, Councillor Mary Hoade and I know for a fact he listened to its concerns. Perhaps in his contribution later he will outline where he has included those concerns in this legislation.

I speak as a former member of a local authority. I proudly served on Monaghan County Council for a number of years. The Minister might correct me if I am wrong but as we speak today, and will speak tomorrow, my understanding is that there is nothing to stop any local authority in this State putting forward proposals regarding housing development. That is the first point we must make. Unfortunately, whether we like it or not, there are many agendas out there. There are many agendas in this House as there are in the Lower House. Occasionally, those agendas come to the fore. The key message we must hammer home is that this legislation refers only to residential lands. It is important that this message goes out to every local authority in the country. I know the motivation behind county councillors throughout the length and breadth of this country to deliver for the people in their localities. I would suggest that very few councils will need the Land Development Agency coming in and acting the heavy on a local authority. As we speak, the vast majority of those local authority members are looking at lands in public ownership and coming forward with plans to deliver much needed houses for the young people in their localities. We cannot lose that point.

It is important not to think that when we take a vote on this today, local authority members will have no say or control with regard to delivering houses for the young people of their localities. That is simply not the case. I am sure every local authority member would agree that if local authorities sit on their butts, which they do not, and do not deliver housing then that is not right either. I am glad to say that is not the case in the vast majority of local authorities throughout the length and breadth of this country. I know that will continue to be the case.

I am all for local authority members and I am all for - never mind the diminution of powers from local authorities - adding to the powers of local authority members. By this Bill and by different pieces of legislation introduced by this Minister, local authority members will have more power now than they ever had before with regard to delivering houses for their young people. Not alone will they have the opportunity to deliver social housing but for the first time in many years, they will have the opportunity to deliver affordable housing to that cohort of people who are outside the local authority housing financial guidelines that would enable them to get housing in the first place. Those people who are working hard five, six and seven days per week to provide for their families too will be looked after here. It is important that we look after everyone with regard to this issue.

I will not hold up the debate. I understand that a review mechanism is contained within this legislation, however. The Minister might outline what form that review takes and when will be the first opportunity to have a look at how this legislation is progressing.

As I stand here, if I thought for one minute that in six, 12 or 18 months or two years' time that local authorities were being trampled on, I, for one, would not be shy in coming forward to table amendments to correct that. I am sure many of my colleagues in this House would do likewise. For now, however, young people are sick and tired of politicians talking about housing. We have gotten to a point in this country where we must deliver housing. The gentleman in front of me this afternoon and everyone in this House will be judged on how many sets of keys we can deliver to people over the next number of years. That is only right. I wish the Minister every success in his goal and determination to do just that.