Housing crisis and government policy
Deputy McDonald attacked the Government’s housing record, citing record prices, rents and homelessness, and accused it of favouring developers and landlords. The Minister defended housing initiatives and said Sinn Féin had obstructed them, with the exchange becoming increasingly heated over who was responsible for the crisis.
As we move to Questions on Policy or Legislation, can we please adhere to the maximum one minute per question and one minute per answer?
Comment on this
Everyday, people are asking themselves after a decade of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael botched policy that favoured private developers and landlords, how is it that in the face of a crisis like no other in housing we are subjected to the same banal rhetoric we have had to listen to for the last ten or 15 minutes. The Minister should ask himself how we have record house prices, record rent levels and record homelessness for families, single people and children. Despite his assertion to the contrary, he should ask himself how we find ourselves almost in quicksand. The Government is making beggars of people, of our young, of our families, of our older people-----
Comment on this
-----for the honour and glory-----
Comment on this
-----of a roof over their heads. Yet, we come in here-----
Comment on this
-----week in and week out and listen to this rubbish from a Government that is failing. I ask the Minister the direct question.
Comment on this
In the face of the ESRI report, which is just the latest evidence of this catastrophe, does the Government still contend that it is getting it right because it very clearly is not?
Comment on this
I have to say that Deputies who will not adhere to the time limit are being disorderly.
Comment on this
Perhaps if the Deputy adopted a more supportive and less obstructive position when it comes to the initiatives the Government is bringing forward to provide homes for our people, we might be in a better place.
Comment on this
Every single major initiative the Government has brought forward the Deputy has sought to block, frustrate and obstruct. You do not want people to be in a position to buy homes. It suits the Deputy politically for the housing crisis to continue.
Comment on this
It does and you will seek to make maximum political advantage out of it.
Comment on this
That is the only logical reason why she comes into this House-----
Comment on this
-----consistently to oppose every positive measure the Government looks to bring in to ease the housing challenge. That is the only conclusion I can reach.
Comment on this
Like Croí Cónaithe and €140,000 for developers.