Mortgage affordability and fire safety
The Leader argued that rent should be considered when people apply for mortgages and called for an honest debate on living standards. He also confirmed a June debate on pensions and addressed concerns about distressed apartment owners, while Senator Humphreys pressed his amendment seeking a debate on apartment fire safety.
They might find him in Doonbeg or in County Clare in a couple of weeks. I am sure they will have a very different viewpoint from me. Senator Craughwell raised the issue of those paying high rents, which should be taken into account when they are seeking a mortgage. He is correct and I have made this point to the Minister for Finance, Deputy Donohoe, that the amount of rent paid should be taken into the calculation when people seek a mortgage. People are paying significant rent, which is similar to if not more than the amount they would pay for a mortgage. It would be very good to have a debate on this topic.
Senators Feighan and Craughwell raised the issue of Jadotville. We all want to see justice for the men of Jadotville and that they be honoured. Senator Craughwell, along with others, has been a passionate advocate for them. I am prepared to have the Minister come to the House and I will work with all Members to ensure that these soldiers are honoured and that the case the Senator raised is brought to the Minister's attention. It is important that we remember that a wrong was done. How we redress that is beyond the Members, but we can work with all parties to ensure it happens.
There goes the harmony, as I come to my good friend, Senator Conway-Walsh. There must be an election coming.
Comment on this
There are elections on Friday week - the local elections and the European election, along with the plebiscite and the referendum on divorce. The people of Cork will have four ballot papers. I know that the opinion polls are worrying some of the members in Sinn Féin.
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Sinn Féin had been moving toward the centre but now it has gone back to the one dimensional transferable speech of ochón agus ochón. I would love to have an honest debate with Members of the House about how our country has benefited from the past seven years of government of Fine Gael and the Labour Party and now Fine Gael and Independents. Let us have an honest debate around the working and living conditions of many people.
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We could hold it in Limerick hospital could we?
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The Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Deputy Regina Doherty, is available to come to the House in June to have a debate on pensions. I do not have the information raised by the Senator about some parts of the 2012 changes and the review of those. I sent a message and we will have that debate in June.
Senator Humphreys has been articulating, championing and advocating for people who are in a very distressed state, and it is very worrying, to be fair, about their property, its structural deficiencies, and other issues. Unfortunately, the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Deputy Eoghan Murphy is not available today. In the period between Senator Humphreys's contribution and now, I attempted to have the Minister available, but he is available to come to the House for a full debate on the matter on Thursday, 30 May. Rather than dividing the House today, I appeal to Senator Humphreys, who ultimately wants to get a resolution, to agree that the best opportunity to do so would be to hold a debate on that date.
I referred to Senator Colm Burke's contribution on housing. Senators Marshall and Feighan also raised the issue of farming and the announcement by the European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Commissioner Hogan of a €50 million fund for the beef sector, which is welcome. Senator Marshall stated that we should not take what the naysayers and the critics say but instead engage, listen and work together to deal with the compendium of challenges that face us.
Senator Gavan raised the issue of Palestine, and again there must an election coming. As I have said in this House previously, I am a very strong supporter of the Palestinian people. I have not been a supporter of a boycott of the Eurovision Song Contest. I have made that clear to Senator Warfield and his colleagues in this House and on other platforms. I do not believe in a boycott of sporting, cultural or music events. I do not think a boycott of the Eurovision will serve any purpose and it ill behoves people to use a platform to come in and cudgel people who have a different viewpoint.
Senator Richmond spoke about the EU and Australia trade deal, which it is important to acknowledge.
I join with Senator Norris in commending all who maintain the grounds here, indeed all who work with the OPW and do a great job in our parks and public places; it is important at this time of the year when tourists visit not just Leinster House but venues across the country. The way places such as Charles Fort in Cork and the Rock of Cashel, where I stopped off the other day, are maintained is a tribute to the OPW. If President Trump does visit, would it not be an opportunity to showcase the beauty of the west coast of Clare and other areas to the people of north America and the world? Míle buíochas to those who work in and maintain public properties and spaces.
Comment on this
Senator Humphreys has proposed an amendment to the Order of Business, that the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government come to the House today to support the introduction of fire safety measures for apartment dwellers. Is the amendment being pressed?