Pyrite Resolution Bill
Broughan questioned whether the Pyrite Levy Bill would be withdrawn and also criticised housing shortages. The Tánaiste said a revised funding Bill would establish the Pyrite Resolution Board and remediation scheme, while defending the Government’s renewed social housing programme.
The Taoiseach has told me several times that the Pyrite Levy Bill is being withdrawn but it is still on the clár. If it is being withdrawn, on the advice of the Attorney General as I understand it, how will the construction industry and the quarry industry be held to account by the Government? Is it the Government's intention to withdraw the Bill?
I support what Deputy Walsh said earlier about housing. The rental accommodation scheme has all but collapsed, with many landlords refusing to accept rent supplement. In my constituency there are approximately 5,000 families on the housing waiting list. To go back to the Tánaiste's previously expressed policies, is the Government considering embarking on a major and significant social housing programme? Some of the Deputies behind the Tánaiste and next to me would strongly support a vibrant social housing programme to address the huge problems we have, with 100,000 families on the housing waiting lists.
Comment on this
Regarding the pyrite resolution Bill, the funding mechanism for dealing with the issue has been changed. The Bill is expected to be published this session.
Comment on this
That is because the funding arrangement is being changed. The Bill will provide for the establishment of the pyrite resolution board and the operation of a pyrite remediation scheme. As I said, it will be published in this session and Deputy Broughan will have the opportunity to deal with it then.
On the housing issue, in this year's budget, the Government has renewed a social housing programme but Deputy Broughan opposed it.
Comment on this
It is only a drop in the ocean.