Victor Boyhan (Independent)

I thank the Minister of State for his response. This ties in with the issue of standards in the public and private sector, which we will revisit at another time. In relation to Pearse House we need to send out a clear message. Are we committed or not? The fact that the complex is a protected structure is not the issue here. There are challenges around protected structures. The Minister of State and I, as former councillors, know that is a reserved function. The councillors have taken advice and made that decision. In fact, I understand the Department is very sympathetic to the retention to old housing stock. We have to respond to the challenges.

The key message is that we cannot encourage a local authority to go down a road and then stop it halfway. These homes are in one of the most deprived parts of Dublin. This is very old social housing stock and we cannot compromise on quality and standards. There are regulations set down about current standards and the standards that apply in the private sector must also apply in the public sector and vice versa. That is the problem. I am not prepared to stand over, sell or make a case for compromised sizes or standards in accommodation for people regardless of their income or where they are coming from. I urge the Minister of State to ensure that departmental officials make this a priority.