The Government has had on its legislative programme almost from the beginning of its term of office reference to a housing Bill. We are now two years on, and the housing crisis is worsening daily for the 100,000 or so families on the housing list with virtually no prospect of getting a home because of waiting lists which are 12, 13 or even 15 years in many cases. This week alone in my constituency, eight families are faced with homelessness because of the inadequate rent caps. Landlords have indicated they can get higher rents and they want these people out, so they are faced with homeless or being told to go to emergency accommodation hostels on the far side of the city.

Where is the housing Bill? The Government can plead that it does not have any money but it cannot say that we do not have houses in the country. We have houses and we need a housing Bill to deal with the disastrous housing crisis facing 100,00 families in this State.

Hear, hear.

There are three housing Bills. One is in the Seanad and Second Stage took place this week. The heads of the second housing Bill are expected shortly and it is intended to be published this year, whereas the third housing Bill will be published next year.