asked the Minister for Local Government the outcome of his meetings with the building societies; and when he will take steps to implement the recommendations made to him by the societies.
20.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Financing of Housing.
19.
asked the Minister for Local Government if, having regard to widespread disappointment at the delay in solving the present housing finance crisis, he will now take emergency steps to deal with the matter and, in particular, to ensure that building societies are enabled to provide loans immediately for all persons who have already applied.
21.
asked the Minister for Local Government if as a result of his further discussions with the building societies he is now in a position to make a statement regarding the future financing of the building industry.
I propose, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 19, 20 and 21 together.
My discussions with the building societies have not yet been concluded. I am having a further meeting with them today after which I propose to issue a statement.
Is the Minister aware that the building societies have now informed loan applicants whose loans were approved at the beginning of this year that the loans will not be paid to them until August or September next and in this situation, can the Minister not give more concrete evidence of his efforts to help to solve the building crisis?
I have not offered any evidence as yet.
No, that is right. Does the Minister recall that he denied in this House four months ago that there was any crisis existing in regard to housing loans and will he now admit that if he had taken notice of the suggestion put forward from Fine Gael then the situation would not have developed into a crisis that now seems incapable of solution?
I do not remember this all-powerful solution you offered at that time or seven years ago.
The Minister is doing the hucklebuck. He is wriggling like a snake and wobbling like a duck. It is a hucklebuck Government.
That description is much more applicable to the Deputy.
We have a hucklebuck Government, wriggling like a snake and wobbling like a duck and doing nothing else.