asked the Minister for Local Government whether it is his intention to have consultations with the building industry following the reported statement of the Minister for Finance regarding the need for a slowing down in the rate of office block development.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Office Block Development.
13.
Capital for office block development is not normally provided by the building industry. There would, therefore, be little point in my having consultations, as suggested, with the industry.
I may say, however, that I have been and am keeping under review the need for ensuring that the maximum concentration of the resources of the industry is centred in the building of houses and that other types of building do not prejudice the Government's housing programme. Announcements have already been made of the measures taken to date.
I was heartened, as I am sure the Minister must have been, by the speech of the Minister for Finance because the Minister for Local Government did not seem to share a similar sense of urgency in this matter. Whilst it may be true——
Has the Deputy a question to put?
Will the Minister agree that while it may be argued that capital which goes to office block development does not go direct to the building industry, the fact is that the spate of office block building in Dublin has put up the price of property and has indirectly affected building costs and that, therefore, it should be the Minister's duty to discuss with the building industry how they can bring their costs more into line and make it possible for people once more to purchase houses? It is impossible for working people at the moment to purchase houses. He knows this and he is the responsible Minister for this.
I do not agree that this is by any means impossible. I do agree, however, that it is desirable to concentrate the resources of the building industry as much as possible on the building of houses and that that involves the discouragement of excessive office building. The point is that the capital for office building does not, in general, come from the building industry. There is not any point, therefore, in my having a discussion in that regard with the building industry.
Does the Minister appreciate that insurance companies are advancing a great deal of the capital to speculators while these same insurance companies are refusing mortgage facilities for people who wish to purchase houses?
The insurance companies are not the building industry. The Deputy suggested that I should have consultations with the building industry—and it is now the insurance companies.
All of these are involved in the circle of interests that should be consulted by the Minister. The Minister is showing a noticeable lack of urgency in the matter.
That is a matter of opinion. The insurance companies are not part of the building industry.
The building industry is involved with the insurance companies——
The building industry does not provide the capital. It does the actual construction work.
The Minister understands only one thing—stonewalling.