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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 19 Jan 1984

Vol. 347 No. 2

Housing Bill, 1983: Committee and Final Stages.

Sections 1 to 4, inclusive, agreed to.
SECTION 5.
Question proposed: "That section 5 stand part of the Bill."

I do not agree with the Minister in regard to the manner which local authorities have been dealing with applications coming to them from homeless people. I refute absolutely his allegation that it was irresponsible of me to seek to have this Bill used to alleviate the problems of homeless people because of the interpretation which local housing authorities are putting on the relevant section of the 1966 Act. On the Second Stage I was not allowed to go into this. I was stopped by the Chair, but the Minister was allowed to reply. That was very unfair. I have brought the matter to the notice of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges and I intend to pursue the matter there. I first raised it there this morning and I will pursue it further when I get an opportunity. I do not want to delay the Bill.

I did not say Deputy Molloy was irresponsible. I said that it would be irresponsible to have provided for the homeless in a short Bill of this kind.

The implication was that I was irresponsible when I suggested the Minister had an opportunity to do so in this Bill. I refute that.

Question put and agreed to.
Title agreed to.
Bill received for final consideration.
Question proposed: "That the Bill do now pass".

It is a tragedy that in the years from 1973 to 1983 we have only increased the annual output of housing from 24,000 to 26,000. It is tragic that we have not yet faced up to the housing crisis which exists for thousands and thousands of young families who have not got proper homes. It is very remiss of the Minister to boast about housing figures when it is the last thing he should be doing. The Minister's Government came in with a target of 30,000 houses. I fully support that target but I do not see any effort by the Government to achieve their target. We will fall miserably short again in 1984.

Question put and agreed to.
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