In the limited time available to me, I want to call again for the declaration in law of a housing emergency. Housing is a human right enshrined in Article 25 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. A housing emergency exists in this State. The Government's own Housing Commission asserts that "Only a radical ... reset of housing policy will work". It further asserts that "It is critical that this housing deficit is addressed through emergency action." Successive Governments have failed to solve this housing emergency. Housing plan after rebaked housing plan has failed dismally, and this one is no different. The Minister's own Department stated that it would take 15 to 20 years to address the housing situation, and this if - it is a big if - Government targets are met, which, of course, has never happened. There is precedence for such a declaration in law, such as the financial emergency measures in the public interests facilitating the bailout of banks, etc. The declaration in law of a housing emergency would make sure that the State and all its agencies - Departments of State, local authorities, approved housing bodies and utilities like Irish Water, ESB Networks and the Land Development Agency - would be required to take emergency action to solve the housing crisis. This approach is consistent with and faithful to the spirit and the terms of Bunreacht na hÉireann Articles 43.2.1° and 43.2.2°. We urgently need large-scale building of social and affordable housing on public land. We need to stop evictions, we need to freeze rents and we need a massive plan for the purchase of vacant homes by local authorities to refurbish for letting. The first step in that process is the declaration of a housing emergency.

Sentiment score: -0.21