Paul Murphy demands debate over housing plan, slams removal of targets
Paul Murphy criticised the new housing plan, saying it removes annual targets and avoids accountability while enriching a few. He demanded a Dáil debate on the plan and raised procedural concerns about supplementary estimates and Amendment 35-3.
Paul Murphy said it has been two weeks since the housing plan was published and accused the Government of avoiding scrutiny. He asked why a debate has not been granted and warned against repeating delays similar to those experienced after the Housing Commission report.
He argued the main innovation in the plan was the removal of annual targets - a change he described as preventing accountability for the failure to deliver affordable housing and allowing a small few to get extraordinarily rich.
On Amendment 35-3 he explained his preference to attend committee to set out the case for the supplementary estimates for Vote 2 and Vote 6, and regretted that this was not possible. He cited precedent for the Chief Whip presenting previous requirements for supplementary estimates in 2004, 2022 and 2023.
Murphy said issues including the Occupied Territories Bill, the Housing Plan and Iskja Eirn, and the second 35-3 amendment on immigration can be discussed at the Business Committee on Thursday. He indicated he will discuss with the minister arrangements for any changes and expected the minister to appear in the Dáil to set them out.
He reminded colleagues that the matter is time-sensitive and that a vote is scheduled for 3 December. The order of business was confirmed as standing at the close of his remarks.
Call for debate on housing plan
Paul Murphy said it has been two weeks since the housing plan was published and accused the Government of avoiding scrutiny. He asked why a debate has not been granted and warned against repeating delays similar to those experienced after the Housing Commission report.
Removal of annual targets and accountability
He argued the main innovation in the plan was the removal of annual targets - a change he described as preventing accountability for the failure to deliver affordable housing and allowing a small few to get extraordinarily rich.
Supplementary estimates and procedural precedent
On Amendment 35-3 he explained his preference to attend committee to set out the case for the supplementary estimates for Vote 2 and Vote 6, and regretted that this was not possible. He cited precedent for the Chief Whip presenting previous requirements for supplementary estimates in 2004, 2022 and 2023.
Other items for the Business Committee
Murphy said issues including the Occupied Territories Bill, the Housing Plan and Iskja Eirn, and the second 35-3 amendment on immigration can be discussed at the Business Committee on Thursday. He indicated he will discuss with the minister arrangements for any changes and expected the minister to appear in the Dáil to set them out.
Timetable and next steps
He reminded colleagues that the matter is time-sensitive and that a vote is scheduled for 3 December. The order of business was confirmed as standing at the close of his remarks.
We publish thousands of recordings to make Irish politics transparent and resistant to manipulation. Spotted an error? Report it — together we are building a reliable archive of Irish politics.
Other speeches
Tego samego dnia All speeches from this day →
Richard Boyd Barrett
Richard Boyd Barrett warns HAP and cost rental risk homelessness
Danny Healy-Rae
Danny Healy-Rae demands urgent action on TB outbreaks
George Lawlor
George Lawlor urges civil protection for sexual violence survivors
Richard Boyd Barrett
Richard Boyd Barrett: Blasts Developer Profits Amid Housing Crisis
Mattie McGrath
Mattie McGrath Demands Full Disclosure on Clonmel Park Hotel Claims
Richard Boyd Barrett
Richard Boyd Barrett urges urgent rehousing for domestic violence victims
Transcript
I agree with the previous two points. I also want to raise the fact that it is two weeks now since this new housing plan was published. The main innovation is the removal of annual targets to prevent accountability for the failure of this Government to deliver affordable housing while allowing a small few to get extraordinarily rich. Since the plan has been published we have been calling for a debate on the plan and it still hasn't been granted. Why are you scared of debating your own housing plan? Is this going to turn into, like what we had with the Housing Commission report, week in, week out, we will be demanding debates. You will be saying we are happy to debate it, but for six months we did not get a debate. When are we going to get to debate your housing plan? Firstly, in relation to the issue raised by Deputy Mary Lou Macdonald, Amendment 35-3. My preference was to attend committee to set out the case for the supplementary estimates for Vote 2 and 6, and I had to set aside time to do so last Thursday. I regret that this did not prove possible, in particular because there was a precedent for the Government Chief Whip presenting previous requirements for supplementary estimates for votes in the Vote Group of the Department of the Taoiseach. That would have happened back as far as 2004 when the Chief Whip at the time, Mary Hannafin, attended. In 2022 when the Chief Whip, Jack Chambers, attended. And in 2023 when the Chief Whip, Minister Hildegard, Nocton, attended. This is a time-sensitive issue that we will vote on on 3 December next week. In relation to the issues raised on the Occupied Territories Bill, the Housing Plan and Iskja Eirn, and also the second 35-3 Amendment in relation to the changes to immigration, we can discuss those on Thursday at the Business Committee. I will also discuss with the Minister, who I have no doubt will come into the Dáil to discuss any changes that have been made. The order of business stands. Thank you, Chief Whip.