Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

146. To ask the Minister for Finance if he or his officials have met recently with a group (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37806/17]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

147. To ask the Minister for Finance if he has reviewed a Bill (details supplied) published by a group as a proposed solution to the housing crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37807/17]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 146 and 147 together.

As the Deputy is aware, the National Housing Co-operative Bill 2017 has been initiated in Seanad Éireann and the Bill has also been the subject of consideration by the Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform and Taoiseach.  When I appeared before the Committee on 6 July last in advance of the upcoming July ECOFIN meeting, I was happy to facilitate a request from the Committee Chairman for Department officials to meet with the Right2Homes group who developed the Bill.  That meeting subsequently took place on 21 July 2017, with Deputy McGuinness and some of the members of the Right2Homes group in attendance.  There was a constructive and useful exchange of views at the meeting but it was also clearly indicated that overall Government position on the Bill was that as set out during the Seanad Second Stage debate.