In the dubious event of the Minister having any money available for the erection or purchase of local authority housing this year, would he consider relaxing the requirement that local authorities have to apply to his Department for sanction to purchase each existing private secondhand house? This is a very cumbersome procedure and its relaxation would hopefully stimulate the local authority into being much more active in this field.

What the Deputy is suggesting tells us why, since 1984, only 130 houses have been acquired by this method.

It is a pathetic record on the part of the local authority.

People are asking me to do things but this facility has been there since 1984.

It is the only administrative stumbling block I have ever heard the local authorities being able to put forward to justify their level of inactivity in this area, which I believe to be unforgivable.

That is a point and I agree that they have not used that facility. It is very difficult for a Minister to have to try to justify the lack of this or that——

I am calling Deputy Molloy.

Will the Minister cut the red tape?

There is very little attached to it, if the Deputy knew the truth.