Within a stone's throw of Leinster House, there are many council-owned properties and flat complexes that are in unacceptable condition. Some of the complexes were built in the thirties and they are now destroyed with dampness and mould. They have been long designated for regeneration but the process could not be moving any slower. "Glacial" is the only word that could be used to describe the process. Glover's Court is one example and Pearse House is another. St. Andrew's Court was designated for regeneration over five years ago. The process started then and private apartment blocks are springing up all around the complex. How can the Government allow this? Is the Taoiseach happy with the glacial process involved in the regeneration of inner-city flat complexes?

I am not, and I spoke to the Minister for housing about this only on Tuesday. We are seeing some great regeneration projects happening around the city but some are painstakingly slow. Dolphin House and St. Teresa's Gardens spring to mind, and that is very frustrating. It is a matter for Dublin City Council to lead on these projects, not central government, but it is certainly something I intend to take up with the new city chief executive once he or she is appointed.