asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce what action he proposes to take on the report submitted to him by the Prices Advisory Committee appointed to inquire into the price of certain houses.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Inquiry into House Prices.
22.
I would refer the Deputy to a statement on this matter which I have issued to the press today.
Would the Minister not consider that the statement should be made to the Dáil, not to the press?
I am not representing the press. I am a member of the Dáil. I am raising the matter with the Minister and asking him to answer my question.
Did I hear the Minister correctly, that he said the statement was issued today?
It is in the press today.
This is discourtesy to the House.
It is grossly insulting to the Dáil.
I have raised the question in the Dáil.
We will read it in the Clare Champion over the weekend.
Surely the Minister should reply to a Deputy's question?
We are not going to stand for this.
Is it in the Irish Independent or the Irish Press?
It is presumed that Deputies will read the papers.
It should be on the records of the House.
Before the Minister answers Question No. 23, in view of the fact that this question was down before the statement was issued to the press, surely the Minister should give his statement to the House?
Surely this was sharp practice in view of the fact that the question has been in for four days and the Minister made the statement to the press yesterday?
This kind of tactics is dragging this House into disrepute.
Not the House, the Minister.
The question asked what action I proposed to take. The publication of the conclusions of the findings will show that there is not any action open to me. On the setting up of the inquiry and afterwards, the then Minister for Industry and Commerce advised prospective buyers of these houses not to enter into any legal arrangements because any decisions arising out of any findings would not have retroactive effect. It would be easier for the Deputy to read the published statement. Then he will understand.
Was there a copy of the statement sent to Deputy Cluskey?
Further to the Minister's belated reply, could I ask the Minister if his attitude in this matter is that, if people are in a position to dispose of houses, irrespective of what kind of practice they engage in with regard to price, once the houses are disposed of, it is not the Minister's intention to take any action to ensure that this sort of sharp practice does not take place again? Is he a Pontius Pilate?
If there is any problem that I have it is with people who did not enter into contracts on the advice of the Minister for Industry and Commerce and therefore missed getting a house. The Deputy is asking about people who have been warned not to enter into contracts. They were warned twice.
In other words, the previous Minister was wrong?
They were warned twice that they could not be helped if between the setting up of the Committee and the issue of its findings they had entered into any legal arrangement.
That is as clear as mud.
What the Deputy wants is to bind people to advice given which they should, for their own benefit, accept voluntarily.
What I want is the appropriate information to be given to the Dáil.
Surely the Minister is aware that people have no choice in this matter? The house situation is such that they must of necessity enter into these contracts. Surely the Minister recognises that he has some responsibility?
Some people did not. Some people, accepting the advice, did not enter into any legal arrangement.
There are a whole lot of people who will enter into one now having regard to the new loans the Minister for Local Government is giving.