Thomas Gould

Overall sentiment: -0.07
Back to Debate

Tánaiste, I have a document here that is 107 pages long. I read it this morning. It nearly put me to sleep ten times. There is nothing in it. I swear to God Almighty. Has the Tánaiste read this document? I have read it.

Sentiment score: 0.03

Do you know what I could not figure out? There are tens of thousands of boarded-up houses across the State that people are looking at every day. There is nothing in this for them. Do you know what I will tell you? There are thousands of houses owned by local authorities that are destroying communities because they are boarded up for years. There is nothing in this document for them. The Government gives local authorities €11,500 towards repairing vacant properties when the average cost is €31,000. Where is the extra €20,000? Will the Tánaiste commit? I am asking him and the Minister of State sitting next to him a straight question. Will they commit to funding local authorities to repair all these boarded-up houses that are destroying communities? Can the Tánaiste imagine walking down the road and coming across people sleeping rough? I know a woman who is going to be evicted next week. There is nothing in this for people who are being evicted or who are sleeping rough. I know a woman who has her toddler and her mother in the same bedroom.

Sentiment score: -0.03

I have one last case, and I will leave it at that. I know a woman who does not qualify for social housing because her job is too good but who does not earn enough to get an affordable home. Where is she going to go after Christmas? She has an eviction notice now.

Sentiment score: -0.07

Can the Tánaiste tell me that? I tell him that there is nothing in this. It is a waste of paper.

Sentiment score: -0.14

What page?

Sentiment score: 0.00

Tell me the page.

Sentiment score: 0.00

I read it. There is nothing in it.

Sentiment score: 0.00

No, it is not there.

Sentiment score: -0.30

I suggested that three years ago and you told me I was wrong. Then you adopted it. That is my policy. Myself and Eoin Ó Broin brought that to the House three years ago.

Sentiment score: -0.12