Paddy Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to be associated with expressions of sympathy both to the wife of former Cathaoirleach of the Seanad, Brian Mullooly, and Senator Buttimer on the recent death of his dad.

I join with Senators McDowell and Martin in calling for a debate on construction and how the green economy and the grants announced by the Minister, Deputy Ryan, last week will fall in together and what should get priority. As Senator McDowell said, there is a lack of specialist trades and construction workers in the country. When we couple those aspects together, we could have a very good debate, whether we deal with one issue one day and a different one another day.

It has been brought to my attention that getting a licence to construct more than four stories for modular housing is a nightmare in this country. In fact, I do not think a person can get a licence at all to construct more than four stories for modular housing. Houses, hotels, apartments and all sorts of buildings are being constructed by modular methods throughout the world these days. They go up so fast; it is unbelievable. In this country, however, a person cannot get a licence to go above four stories. You would wonder what the blockage is or why there is a blockage.

I ask that, in the debate that has been requested by Senator McDowell, we would include and perhaps bring some people into the House, if necessary. This was alluded to by former President Mary Robinson at Seanad 100. We could have a rolling debate and do some great work in that regard. By hearing the views from a cross-section of the areas involved in this type of construction and building, we would have a very good debate in the House on that issue.