This morning, the well-known Capuchin, Brother Kevin Crowley, stated that the housing crisis was the worst in the history of the State. In the Limerick council area, 5,200 people are on the housing waiting list with just 38 vacancies. In reply to Deputy Ó Snodaigh, the Minister stated that the Government was "actively considering housing initiatives". The Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government stated yesterday that emergency legislation was necessary to bring what he called "certainty" to the rental situation. Speaking on behalf of those in Limerick and elsewhere who are becoming homeless on a daily basis, when can we expect to see that emergency legislation? This is an emergency. The legislation must be introduced now, not considered or discussed.

Legislation on housing will be considered in the context of the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government's programme and the Minister for Finance's programme in terms of budgetary measures. In the normal course, they will appear before the House when decisions have been taken by the Government.

People are becoming homeless on a daily basis.

As the Deputy well knows, given the fact that he was in government when the housing collapse occurred and the number of houses built fell from 90,000 to 5,000-----

People are becoming homeless on a daily basis. Stop waffling and answer the question.

That was largely on the back of the bad policies pursued.

Hear, hear.

So, that is the Minister's answer.

No.

Sorry, but hold on.

I am making the point that the collapse of the construction sector is something about which the Deputy ought to know well.

Tell that to the people who are becoming homeless in Limerick and the Minister's constituency on a daily basis.

It is a poor answer.

We are rebuilding this economy-----

Is that the Minister's answer?

Ten years of negligence.

Deputies, please.

-----and we need to fix the housing sector, which was part of the most damaged sector in the crash.

The Government has had five years to fix it, and it is worse than ever.

Ten years of negligence.

Indeed.

We are not having a debate.

Fianna Fáil left the country broke.

Excuse me, but we are not having a-----

It broke the country as well.

Excuse me Deputy Durkan, but we are not having a debate on housing.

I am sorry, a Cheann Comhairle.

Fianna Fáil broke the country.

People will be glad to hear from the Minister of State anyway.

This is about promised legislation.

Fianna Fáil co-piloted the crash.

Will Deputies stick to this, please? There is a list of Members.

I assure Deputy O'Dea that this matter will receive an absolute priority and Government attention. He will have read in newspapers about how the Cabinet sub-committee sat on this matter and groups were working to introduce proposals.

It is sitting on it.

That is the problem. The Government is sitting on it.

It is Deputy Healy-Rae's turn now. Instead of shouting from the sidelines, he can stand and ask his question, provided it is in order.