John Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I echo what Senator Blaney said. The issue of foundations has been widely discussed in committee and in both the Dáil and Seanad. To be fair to the Minister and the Minister of State, they have indicated that where evidence is identified through the NSAI, they will include that in the costings to be provided. The Government cannot be any clearer on that issue. A genuine question I have for the Sinn Féin representatives in the Chamber relates to what figure per square foot they would consider necessary for 100% redress. They come in here and shout about how it is not enough, but will they state what figure they would deem sufficient? Yesterday, when we discussed this matter, I pointed out that Sinn Féin’s budget proposals stated the party could build 20,000 social and affordable homes at €123 per sq ft, whereas this scheme provides for €165 per sq ft. I would like the Sinn Féin Senators to outline to everyone watching the debate what figure they would deem necessary to have what they consider to be 100% redress. The SCSI, whose representatives appeared before our committee, carried out extensive work on this issue - I thank it for its volunteer work on this - and came up with a figure independent of the Government, but I would like to what figure the Senators have in their minds.