Louise O'Reilly

I welcome the opportunity to make a contribution in respect of the budget. The people who were really celebrating on Tuesday when the announcements were made were the landlords, the developers and the vulture funds. This was a budget for them. The Government might as well have just handed the biro to them and let them write the budget. Not unlike the previous speaker, who is a Fianna Fáil Deputy, …

12. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of cost rental homes delivered in Balbriggan in each of the past five years. [53572/25]

My question is, as I generally try to make them, fairly straightforward. For the avoidance of any doubt, the question refers to delivery for the previous five years, specifically to the tenure of the Minister's predecessor. It was the same Government but a different Minister. Plans for the future do not need to be included in this. I just want the figure, which I suspect is quite a round figure, …

If the answer is "zero", will the Minister just say it? Is he embarrassed or ashamed? I would be if I was sitting where he is but I do not think the Government knows any shame. The answer is "zero". As we are here this morning, the average rent in north County Dublin is €2,223. The Minister might tell me who is going to be able to afford that rent because people on an ordinary income simply canno…

I want an answer from the Minister.

I want an answer. I am entitled to an answer.

How does the Minister think it happened?

That does not answer my question. Can the Cathaoirleach Gníomhach direct the Minister to answer my question please?

I am entitled to-----

Could the Minister stop that nonsense? I have to face the people in my constituency who are facing homelessness.

These amateur dramatics on the Minister's part will not build a single house. He knows it.

The Minister should suigh síos. His time is up.

The Minister should check the clock.

Check the clock.

The Minister acknowledges that there is an affordability problem. Mother of Jesus. He acknowledges that there is a viability problem. Does he know what the problem is? We have a Government problem. The people in Balbriggan are at the business end of a Government-sponsored problem. The average cost of rent in north County Dublin is €2,223. I asked the Minister a simple question: how many cost-renta…

Yes, and supported the people who said they were building 40,000 homes.

If the answer is "zero", the Minister could say it and sit down.

He could just say "zero".

Hear, hear.

Answer it now.

When they are filling up their cars they will remember.

And the Minister of State is endorsing it now.

Hush now, Michael.

Yes.

Not yet, a Cheann Comhairle.