Mary Fitzpatrick
Industrial and Commercial Panel · Fianna Fáil · Ireland
“It would help inform policy, not just in the drugs space but in all areas of mental health, physical health and our social well-being. I draw the House's attention to the publication this morning of the Government's latest progress report on housing - Delivering Homes, Building Communities.”
“This morning's news coverage is dominated by calls from medical professionals for a ban on e-scooters. This follows calls for bans on social media. The Government has moved to ban vapes. We are actively engaged as a country in banning a lot of things at the moment and there is very good reasoning behind a lot of these proposals.”
“That is just in the first quarter and it is up 33%. More than 46,000 new homes have commenced. There is a lot of activity in terms of supply. Affordability is a huge issue for a lot of people but, in the last year, more than 20,000 first-time home purchasers acquired their own home.”
“I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach for her forbearance and patience with us. I thank Martin and all of the staff of the Seanad Office on behalf of the Fianna Fáil group. It is a tremendous personal honour and privilege for me to serve with all of the Senators.”
“We all understand the value of our local democracy and the incredible role our elected representatives undertake to represent and champion their communities and ensure they are properly served. The Minister came into the House and gave a response which, unfortunately, there was not a hard copy of to share with Senators.”
“Population growth and changing demographics mean that electoral areas must be reviewed and it is really important to ensure that there is fair and adequate representation. Every citizen's voice should carry equal weight, regardless of where he or she lives, so the boundary review is really important.”
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“The task force builds on a proposal that I first made back in 2018, as the Deputy Leader may recall. Deputy John Lahart was the Fianna Fáil spokesperson for Dublin. At that time, we did bring forward legislation for an inner city development authority. Unfortunately, it was voted down by other parties but the Dublin City task force builds on our proposal to bring together the community, businesses and the statutory authorities to address the challenges of deprivation and dereliction but, more importantly, to champion the inner city. I welcome the progress that has been made this week because Dublin City Council has announced the establishment of a special purpose vehicle, SPV. I call for more ambition and urgency around the city task force. Our city is one of the greatest capitals in Europe.”
“I join the Cathaoirleach and the Deputy Leader in welcoming Ambassador Grinevičius, embassy staff and Deputy Dempsey. I would also like to wish all the Lithuanians in Ireland and around the world a very happy national day. I congratulate Lithuanians on their sustained independence. That is not a small achievement in our modern world and I congratulate them and salute them for that. The Government recognises that Ireland deserves a capital that is safe, more vibrant and livable for everyone, and recognises the challenges faced by the capital. As a consequence, the Dublin City task force was established so that an holistic, all-encompassing and comprehensive approach could be taken to addressing the challenges and revitalising the city centre.”
“I hope everybody can stay dry. Anyone who is in Dublin over the next few days and looking for a bit of a laugh, could an awful worse than to go to The Gate theatre at the top of O'Connell Street, on Parnell Square. The contemporary sharp comedy, Eureka Day , opened last night. It was its Irish première following a successful run in London and on Broadway. I commend Colm, Róisín and all the team at The Gate on bringing this contemporary sharp comedy. It pokes fun at slacktivism and woke politics. Those who do not take themselves too seriously, want a bit of a laugh and want to stay out of the rain in Dublin could do an awful lot worse than to go to The Gate and watch Eureka Day .”
“I welcome the Government's decision this week to introduce Grace's law - a complete and utter ban on scramblers in public spaces. Legislation was introduced in 2023. Regulations should have been introduced sooner. My deepest sympathies go to Grace Lynch's family and friends but also to every other victim of scramblers in our communities. People have lost their lives, people have suffered life-altering injuries and every day scramblers have been used to distribute illegal substances - drugs and other paraphernalia. I welcome the Government's decision to move with immediate effect to introduce Grace's law and ban the use of scramblers in all public spaces. It is lashing rain again outside. I think it is the fourth flood risk warning in ten days. Front-line services are put to the pin of their collar at this stage. I wish them well.”
“We have an unequal distribution and an unequal access system at the moment. We have places where there are long waiting lists. There are places where there are absolutely no services. It is unacceptable. I welcome the Minister of State's acknowledgement and her recognition of the nature and the needs of our drugs crisis now, that it is nationwide, that it is urban and rural, that it involves polydrug use and that it is not just in marginalised communities. We also need to ensure that very significant effort is put into prevention. There needs to be ring-fenced funding for prevention. There needs to be multi-annual funding for the drugs task forces and for all our drugs work. I commend the Minister on her work.”
“I join the Minister of State in complimenting the local drugs task forces. I served on the original Tolka area task force, now known as the Finglas-Cabra task force. Through that we did incredible work, and the task forces have done incredible work. Not only are they helping individuals and their families and then the wider community to deal with their addiction and achieve recovery, but they have also established really powerful and constructive relationships between the statutory authorities, the Garda, the local authorities, the schools and others in the community. They are incredibly powerful. I really welcome the Minister of State's commitment that the local drugs task forces will have a significant role in the new drugs strategy. Also, the principle of equality of access to services is imperative.”
“There has been incredible work done, not just by the local drugs task forces but also by everybody who works in this sector. However, the funding provided has been inconsistent and piecemeal. It has not allowed for scaling to address the problem of polydrug use on a nationwide basis. It also has not allowed for a scaling-up of the infrastructure and supports that are needed, especially around prevention. I refer here to youth work and youth diversion. We want a health-led approach but to achieve that we have to have people make healthy choices and healthy decisions for themselves. We have to support our young people, their families and our communities to do that. I hope that the drugs strategy is going to assist in this regard. I also hope that the Minister of State can provide an update on it. I look forward to her response.”
“Accepting that there is a crisis with polydrug use, that it is a crisis affecting communities all over the country - rural and urban - and that insufficient work has been done to scale up in order to deal with the problem, I want the Minister of State to provide an update on the drugs strategy, how it is going to scale to address the nationwide problem, how it is going to address polydrug use and how it is going to ensure that community voices, which are now very diverse in nature, are heard. I also want to hear how the strategy will be used to increase resources and provide funding for prevention. Our overall approach has rightly been to respond to the drug user, the addiction and the drug abuse, and to try to assist detoxification and active and continued recovery.”
“Over 20 years later, the world has changed, Dublin has changed and the country as a whole has changed. We must accept that the challenge relating to drugs has changed as well. It is no longer dominated by heroin but by polydrug use. The fastest rising use of any drug is that relating to cocaine. It is no longer isolated to disadvantaged or marginalised communities. It is no longer concentrated in urban areas of Dublin. It is a national issue. It is an issue that is affecting all communities across the country.”
“When local drugs task forces were first established in 1997, it was the very first time that a formal structure had been put in place for engagement between the statutory and the voluntary and community sectors. It gave communities a voice for the first time and a mechanism by means of which to respond to the drugs epidemic and to the challenges relating to it that existed in their areas. The world has changed significantly since 1997. When those local and regional task forces were established, the drugs culture in Ireland and how drugs presented was primarily an issue for Dublin. I am sorry to say that, but it is a fact. Issues with drugs were predominantly to do with heroin use and were concentrated largely though not exclusively in marginalised, disadvantaged communities.”
“I also welcome the Minister of State and thank her for coming to the House to address my request for an update on the drugs strategy. As the Minister of State at the Department of Health with special responsibility for the national drugs strategy, she has a significant role in respect of this matter. I commend her on the work she is doing and thank her for her engagement with the Joint Committee on Drugs Use, which has been very welcome and constructive. I look forward to working with her on the new drugs strategy. The Minister of State and I have discussed this matter previously. I am from Dublin and she is from Carlow, but this matter relates to the entire country.”
“We all know the key to solving our housing needs and meeting our country's housing needs is increased supply. I look forward to the release of those numbers but, more importantly, I welcome the official opening this week of the latest phase of new homes in the capital city at O'Devaney Gardens. I know other politicians have dedicated their careers to objecting to the building of these homes but I cannot figure out or understand the mentality of objecting to homes being built, particularly in a housing crisis. It seems a bizarre and, I would say, perverse activity. The good news is that 1,046 new social, affordable and private homes are being delivered at O'Devaney Gardens. Good luck to the new residents who will live there. I know there will be a happy, healthy community there and I wish them all well.”
“Both the Department of Social Protection and the Department of enterprise have funds and resources available. I encourage people, in these challenging weather conditions, to be cautious, stay safe and look out for and help each other, and then to engage with the authorities on the ground who are available, able and equipped to help, from the local authorities and the emergency services to Uisce Éireann and, as I said, the Departments of Social Protection and enterprise and their local offices. Indeed, I commend the local councillors and TDs who are the ones who often get the first call and those calls can be very distressing. We want to be able to respond in a positive way and I believe everybody is doing their best. Later today, the Central Statistics Office will release the housing figures for 2025.”
“As we stand here today protected by the wonderful surroundings of Seanad Éireann, our island is being battered. Mother Nature is certainly putting us all to the test with the wind and the rain. My thoughts are with everyone who is being affected by the extreme weather we experiencing as an island. In my own part of the city, the north side of the city, there was chaos. There was a burst watermain in Fairview. The road had to be closed and homes in Drumcondra, Fairview, North Strand and East Wall out to Clontarf, Bayside and beyond have been without water. I want to acknowledge the work being done on the ground by the local authorities and Uisce Éireann. In particular, I express my sympathy to homeowners and businesses whose homes have been damaged, with some flooded. There is support there for homeowners and businesses.”
“Given where the Minister of State comes from, I know he understands the importance of public transportation for his constituency. When we consider all the people who are stuck on the M50 and our motorways trying to travel into and out of Dublin city, we need to get all those involved in delivering these public transportation projects to take a fresh look and put fresh energy and fresh ambition behind the delivery of really important public transport programmes like DART+ South West and DART+ West, which will electrify the line from Maynooth to Connolly Station, passing through Drumcondra as well as the new Cabra station.”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit for the detailed response. I acknowledge the Government's commitment to funding transportation of €24 billion and the €12 billion for public transportation in particular. I accept the detailed report that is provided here in terms of the strategy and the requirements for works to be completed on DART+ West, Spencer Dock and Connolly Station to allow DART+ South West and the development of Cabra station to progress. On considering this in detail, it is apparent that work is already under way. I acknowledge that and I congratulate everybody who is involved in that. I appeal to Government to look at the sequencing of this work as part of the project management of these projects to see what can be done to complete works in parallel as opposed to sequentially.”
“I believe, and the people of Dublin and of Kildare North believe, that the DART+ South West project with planning permission, with design, with approval and support from the Government can go ahead much earlier than 2030. I really hope the Minister of State can give us an answer that indicates that this morning.”
“They would be able to connect to the metro when that is built at Cross Guns Bridge. There are enormous transport benefits, economic benefits and social benefits. What I am seeking from the Minister for Transport is a commitment that the Government is going to go ahead with that project. I commend the Government on committing €24.3 billion to transportation in the national development plan. In the review that took place in 2025, DART+ South West is called out as a project with planning approval. I have heard the Minister say that there is flexibility in the NDP to bring forward projects like DART+ South West. At the moment under the NDP the indicative schedule is for it to commence in 2030. I do not believe we should wait until 2030 and I do not I think the Government believes we should wait until 2030.”
“Cabra has a population of roughly 26,000 people in the hinterland of where the station would be located, who could avail of this transport option. That is 26,000 people who are living and working and contributing in our capital city. The station will be located just off the Cabra Road. Even if you do not live in Cabra, you will have heard of Cabra if you listen to the road traffic reports. We hear about congestion coming in from Castleknock, down the Navan Road to Cabra Cross and then down the Cabra Road to Doyle's Corner. Famously, every traffic bulletin refers to the traffic congestion at Doyle's Corner and down the North Circular Road. If the DART+ South West project progresses, a lot of people could get out of their cars and get on the DART, and then they would be able to connect to Connolly Station and Drumcondra station.”
“In the last two days, we had gridlock in Dublin and disruption on the roads, not just in the city but around the city and in the surrounding counties. We must ask what is causing the delay in us advancing a well-designed, thought-out and planned public transportation plan like the DART+ South West project. From a transport perspective, it will quadruple the tracking between Park West, Cherry Orchard and Heuston Station. This will reduce a major bottleneck and it will accelerate the travel times for commuter traffic and passengers on intercity services. One might wonder why Mary Fitzpatrick cares so much about Kildare North or even the south west of the city. As a Dub, I care about all of Dublin and the commuter belt, but even in the heart of my constituency, in Cabra where I grew up, we are going to benefit too.”
“To be fair to those involved, it is important to note that there has been significant progress, in particular under the previous Government in the last term of the Oireachtas. We are at the point where the railway order and design are completed, public engagement and submissions from the public have been conducted and the railway order application has been lodged. Most importantly, planning permission has been granted. This is a very positive project. The transport benefits, economic benefits and environmental and social benefits are enormous. From a transport perspective, it will expand travel modes and reduce travel times on public transportation, and it will make public transportation a more attractive, affordable and reliable option for commuters.”
“I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Thomas Byrne, for coming in this morning. I raise this Commencement matter to seek an update from the Minister for Transport on the DART+ South West project. I appreciate that transport is not the Minister of State's portfolio and that he is giving his time to be here today. I congratulate him on the very important work he is doing at this time in his role in Europe and I wish him well with the European Council Presidency coming up this year. This morning specifically, I want to talk about the DART+ South West project, which was first proposed in 2000. It is hard to think that it was a quarter of a century ago. We are in 2026 and we are talking about it here today.”
“Sadly, Grace Lynch was not the first person to be murdered by a scrambler and, at this moment in time, we cannot say she is going to be the last. It is just not acceptable. I would really appreciate it if the Leader could urgently arrange for the Minister for Transport to come in to advise this House when the regulations that have been legislated for will be enacted, so that action can be taken. Failing that, we need an emergency ban on all scramblers everywhere until such time as this is put under control.”
“She was walking across the road when her life was just robbed from her, from her parents and from her family. The pain in her mother's voice - no human should have to endure that - and the pain they are all going through is unimaginable. My deepest sympathies go to them. I am spokesperson for Dublin and I acknowledge that the Minister for justice met with me and my colleagues today. We have campaigned to make this form of dangerous driving illegal and to give the Garda powers to seize scramblers and tackle this issue. I am absolutely sick to the back teeth, like everybody else living in this city, and it is not just in this city, of seeing people on scramblers going around with hoods up, balaclavas on, no helmets, no licence or tax, speeding and not observing any of the laws or rules of the road. The consequences are tragic.”
“I never had the pleasure or privilege of meeting Brian Crowley. I just knew him as hugely successful politician, an MEP, a poll topper and a man who dedicated his life to public service. He was somebody who had incredible commitment to public service. I understand he was hugely talented musically and was a humorous and warm individual. He was clearly a very good friend of the Cathaoirleach and a great colleague to many of my colleagues. I offer my deepest sympathies to the Cathaoirleach and all his family and friends. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis. I also offer my deepest sympathies and condolences to the parents, family, friends, school and community of Grace Lynch. This time last week, Grace was a 16-year-old girl with her all of her life ahead of her.”
“I do not know if that is because it is €1 billion being given to help activate the delivery of housing in the immediate short term for local authorities and the Land Development Agency, LDA. This is only part of €11 billion the State is spending this year on housing alone, which is a very significant investment. However, I think about all the noise made about other elements and no noise made about this, so I want every one of the 31 local authorities in our country to know there is an extra €1 billion there. People need to know that if they have a piece of land that is zoned for housing, has planning permission on it, and it needs a water or other utility connection or a road they should make their application. It is open and the deadline is in February for applications.”
“It runs from the Liffey all the way to the west, running through from the IFSC, up through Newcomen Bridge and Phibsborough and now we have funding to continue it. That is really great news. The Grand Canal, Clontarf and the Liffey cycleway will all benefit. These are really important investments, not just for the city, but also for urban areas. Active travel connects communities and makes it safer for us all to get out of our cars and to cycle, walk and run. This is a really important development, and I wish all the projects well. Finally, I want to welcome the €1 billion announcement from Government for the housing activation office, HAS. It has not got much coverage. The silence has been somewhat deafening, actually.”
“He has asserted that we should work through the European Union, that we should ensure European unity in our response to the US and use our diplomatic channels to deal with all geopolitical and trade issues. These are welcome developments. It is an evolving situation. It is always changing. What is most important is that we work consistently with our partners to assert the values of independence and freedom. This week, there was a very significant announcement for active travel around the country. Over €350 million will be spent on improving greenways and routes for active travel and this is very welcome. I want to particularly welcome the allocation of almost €36 million to Dublin City Council. The council will use these funds to further extend the Royal Canal Greenway in my own constituency.”
“On behalf of the Fianna Fáil group, I would like to offer our sympathies and condolences to the wife and family of Gerard Lynch. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis. Overnight there have been welcome developments. This House should welcome the announcement from President Trump that he is pulling back from his planned 10% tariffs on eight European countries. Also, most importantly, he is pulling back from his threat to Greenland. Greenland is an independent state and its sovereignty and independence must be guaranteed. It is welcome news and we should send our good wishes to the Taoiseach on behalf of our country. His position has been steadfast.”
“I would like the Leader to arrange a debate in the House with the Minister for the Department of arts and culture. The Department’s failure to intervene to stop The Complex from closing was a missed opportunity and a worrying indication of its commitment to grassroots, independent artistic activity in the city. I implore the Leader to arrange a debate early in our schedule in the Seanad to address the issue of the closure of The Complex and, more important, how we can reopen it and have a dedicated space for independent, grassroots artists and creative activity in the city. Dublin city needs The Complex. We should not have lost it. We need it restored as soon as possible.”
“This morning, I raise an issue I raised before the Christmas break and that is the closure of the The Complex multidisciplinary arts centre in Dublin city. It has now closed its doors. The artists have had to vacate the building. It is a huge loss for Dublin city. It has stripped the city of a vital creative space for community and cultural expression. It pains me to say this but this was not an inevitable outcome; it was completely avoidable. For a long time, way before the end of last year, I had been engaging with Government Departments and the city council on this issue. It is a huge loss to the city. The city is booming. We have cranes, homes being built and all sorts of developments taking place but, at the same time, the city has lost a vital creative space.”
“I appeal to the Deputy Leader to appeal to Government to step in before the end of the year to save The Complex from closure. It is essential vital public infrastructure in our capital city. It is infrastructure that is essential to Dublin's competitiveness, liveability, our economic success and, most importantly, our identity, our cultural identity and our soul. Will the Deputy Leader appeal to Government to save The Complex?”
“We should all as public representatives raise awareness on that issue. I will return to the subject of The Complex. It is not just an arts venue. It is vital public infrastructure in the capital city. Cities that thrive and are successful invest in spaces that support creativity, community engagement and cultural production. The Complex delivers on all three of those vital public infrastructures. For more than a decade, it has offered affordable spaces for artists and cultural employment. It has revitalised an underutilised and underpopulated area of the city. It has delivered programmes that are building social cohesion, social capital and youth engagement. It contributes to the cultural vibrancy of our capital city in terms of tourism, investment and talent.”
“We are tremendously appreciative. I will raise two issues. There is a warning out, and it is really important that every Member of the House and every public representative raises awareness of this, about the very potent levels of illegal substances that are being distributed and will be available over the festive season. We all want to enjoy the holidays, but we want to enjoy them safely. It is really important for everybody to remind themselves that illegal substances are just that. They are illegal and highly dangerous. Water testing indicates that our public water system in Dublin has among the highest levels in Europe of ketamine being detected. Between ketamine, MDMA and other synthetic substances, there is a huge public health issue out there. It is obviously a huge threat to human life and human well-being.”
“On our final sitting of the Seanad this year, I thank Martin, the staff in the Seanad Office and everybody working in the Leinster House complex for the support they have provided to us, the elected Members. We could not do our job without all of their talent, energy and commitment. We are hugely privileged to serve in Leinster House and we greatly appreciate their support. All of their efforts make ours so much more effective, so I thank them. At times, it can be stressful, demanding and challenging, but they always make it look easy. I thank them for doing that, for keeping calm and for keeping the place running in such a smooth fashion. We really appreciate it. They are doing an enormous service, not just for us but for the country. I wanted to acknowledge that at the outset on behalf of the Fianna Fáil group.”
“We need the Minister for Health to come to the House to outline how she is going to launch a public health awareness campaign that highlights the dangers of nitrous oxide and the criminality involved but, most importantly, a campaign that aims at preventing this by educating young people and supporting them, along with their parents, teachers and youth workers, to avoid such dangers, to look after themselves and to make healthy decisions for themselves.”
“Tonight's "Prime Time" programme on RTÉ One will deal with the issue of nitrous oxide, laughing gas. It really is not a laughing matter. This is a really serious public health issue. It is a criminal issue. Youth services, and I am a director of a youth service myself, have been raising this issue for a number of years. It is incredibly dangerous for young people. It can cause spinal injury, neurotoxicity and physical injury. It is a very serious public health issue. We saw a delay in the public awareness campaign for HHC.”
“Will the Leader arrange for the Minister for justice to come to the House and brief us on the findings and recommendations of the Kenova report. The Kenova report was released this week. It is an investigation into some of the darkest moments in our recent history on this island. Most critically in my area, it looked at the Dublin and Monaghan bombings 51 years ago in May 1974 on Talbot Street. On that day 33 people lost their lives. There are surviving family members who are still looking for answers. We all know that justice delayed is justice denied. I would really appreciate it if the Leader could arrange for the Minister for justice to come to the House to share with the House the findings of the Kenova report and, most importantly, to outline to the House how the Government will implement the recommendations from that report.”
“Those issues are real, and that is before we start talking about all of the negativity that comes with being a public representative. As Senator Flynn said, public representatives live in the community and are accessible all of the time not just on social media from anonymous bots but from people living on their street or road in their village. Our democracy depends on our local authority members and us protecting and championing them. We are absolutely committed to doing that but the way to achieve progress is through a process that is properly resourced, funded and structured that can be then responded to and delivered on by the Government. I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House and I look forward to his response.”
“I urge the Minister of State in his response to outline how the local democracy task force will address this issue and other issues. It would be really helpful if the Minister of State could, in the course of his response, address the need to encourage councillors to continue in the role and service so they have a wealth of service. The gratuity issues have to be addressed for our councillors as well. We also must ensure we attract new and diverse members to our local authorities. There is a huge barrier for younger people to become local authority members because once someone becomes a local authority member, they become a person of political interest and, all of a sudden, as a person of political interest, it is difficult to get a bank loan or mortgage or progress in other areas of their lives.”
“That absolutely needs to be addressed. Councillors have raised issues about how they are responsible for the policymaking, budget-making and reserved functions of their councils. For example, Dublin City Council has an annual budget of €1.6 billion but the councillors, to be fair to them, have what are defined as part-time roles. That is an enormous responsibility. They need access to independent advice and supports to help them to do their jobs because on top of all of the policy, regulatory and statutory obligations, what motivates them all primarily is their desire to champion their communities and local authority areas. They do it with heart and more energy than most people give in a regular, full-time job. I absolutely support the sentiment of the Bill.”
“Similarly, those councillors who work with AILG also give their time to strengthen local democracy in a way that is meaningful. They are actively engaged. I have met both LAMA and the AILG along with the Minister and the Government. They are actively supporting the local democracy task force and I absolutely believe the task force can deliver not just the administrative support but all of the other supports our elected representatives need. Senator Kyne alluded to the Moorhead report, which we dealt with in the previous Oireachtas. It made some improvements, such as improvements in payments to councillors, but there are still unresolved issues. While the allowance may have increased to €28,000, there are still issues around pensions, the lack of a pension and the fact there is only a gratuity which is capped.”
“Okay. It is important that everyone in this House and every councillor around the country understands why we will be voting for a timed amendment. It is not because we do not understand the pressures of councillors or because we think they do not need or deserve support. Rather, we wish to ensure their needs and the supports they require are provided in a holistic way. That is why we have supported the establishment of a local democracy task force and are working to use our position in government to deliver changes. I acknowledge the efforts of Councillor Joe Malone and of LAMA. Councillors like Joe Malone and those on the executive of LAMA do incredible work. Not only do they do their own jobs as councillors for their communities within local authorities, but they take on additional roles within LAMA to champion all councillors.”
“Elected members of local authorities, of whom there are 949 in the 31 independent local authorities right around the country, have specifically defined roles in terms of policymaking and policy decisions. I hope Senator Flynn can stay because I wish for her to understand where we are coming from on this. Our voting-----”
“I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after “That” and substitute the following: “Seanad Éireann resolves that the Local Government (Support for Elected Members) Bill 2024 be read a second time on this day 12 months, to allow for further consideration of the Bill.” I thank the Minister of State for being here today and the Independent Senators for bringing forward this Bill. Well done on introducing it. Obviously, we support the sentiment and intention of the Bill. As a former city councillor, the pressure, demands and unreasonable efforts expected of city councillors are no mystery to me. Not only was I elected but, as Senator Flynn said, I live in my constituency and community too.”
“Will the Leader ask the Minister for arts and culture to meet with the board of The Complex and to act as a champion to save the facility? The property is in private ownership. The owner intends to sell it. The board of The Complex has put together a proposal that it will be able to fulfil. It has the support of the Arts Council and Dublin City Council. This Government is committed to the regeneration and revitalisation of the inner city. It is also committed to supporting artists and the arts in our capital. The Minister for arts and his Department are in a position to put together a funding proposal that will save the unique creative hub right in the heart of the city that is The Complex. I ask the Leader to ask the Minister to meet urgently with the board of the facility.”
“I want to ask the Leader to help save The Complex. The Complex is a unique multidisciplinary arts centre. It is right in the heart of the north-west inner city. It is located on Arran Street East. It is in what is designated in the Dublin city development plan as a strategic development regeneration area. It is a unique cultural hub. It combines artist’s studios, performance space for both large-scale and smaller scale, more intimate performances. Very unique artistic and creative activity takes place there. The Complex started operating in 2008 or 2009. Vanessa Fielding is the director and there is a very strong board there. They set out with an objective of taking vacant, unoccupied and underutilised warehouse spaces and animating them with unique creativity.”
“The €30,000 tax refund that first-time buyers received to make it viable for them, not for big developers or fat cat speculators but for people like our children and our young adults who want to buy their own homes, was something the Opposition also opposed. The renter's tax credit is in place as is the first homes scheme. There is not one silver bullet to fix our housing crisis. If there was, we would have used it already. Everything that can be done is being done and this is one of the measures. For this reason we will support it.”
“The proof that it goes to delivering housing for people and addressing the housing need in our country can be seen from the past four years, when more than 137,000 homes were built and one in every three was social and affordable housing. This term a minimum of 300,000 homes will be built and one in every two will be social and affordable housing. To try to present the budget or the Finance Bill as being designed entirely to support one type of housing is factually a misrepresentation. When development levies were being waived, which facilitated the commencement of tens of thousands of homes, the Opposition opposed it. When water connection charges were refunded the Opposition opposed it.”
“This is an important issue and the record of the House is very important on the subject of housing in particular. It is something that every Member has as their number one priority. Having access to a home that is adequate to a person's needs and is affordable and secure is a basic human right. Most of us agree on this. There is a lot of misinformation being shared today. To suggest the Bill is slanted entirely in favour of one section of society is a misrepresentation of the facts. Next year there will be more than €11 billion of taxpayers' money invested in housing alone. It has been suggested that this tax break will deliver €1.5 billion over five years but in one year alone €11 billion will be invested in housing.”