Richard Boyd Barrett Condemns 'Gravy Train' Plan, Demands Housing Debate
Richard Boyd Barrett criticised the government's plans to expand ministerial jobs and allowances and accused the government of using a guillotine to suppress proper debate. He warned the Taoiseach is planning to hand the housing sector to profit-driven private investors, vulture funds and corporate landlords and demanded a debate on a housing commission report.
Richard Boyd Barrett said the government is planning to further expand the "gravy train" of ministerial jobs and allowances and that it is using a guillotine to prevent proper discussion. He described the use of a guillotine to suppress debate as completely unacceptable and insisted there should be no guillotine.
He raised alarm at pronouncements by the Taoiseach that would effectively hand the housing sector, lock, stock and barrel, to private, profit-driven investors, vulture funds and corporate landlords. He argued these are the actors responsible for the housing crisis and pointed out that the housing commission report has not yet been debated despite being published seven or eight months ago.
Deputy Boyd Barrett sought a discussion on the housing crisis, on recent government announcements, and an opportunity to question the new minister about what he called the government's "crazy, crazy housing proposals." He said the business committee had been asked to facilitate that debate.
A parliamentary representative responded that the point raised to Deputy Nash about the timing of the bill had been answered and that they had no objection to a wider debate on housing policy. It was noted that a motion on housing is being brought forward by the Labour Party and that the minister will be present to respond when the motion is taken.
Gravy train and guillotine
Richard Boyd Barrett said the government is planning to further expand the "gravy train" of ministerial jobs and allowances and that it is using a guillotine to prevent proper discussion. He described the use of a guillotine to suppress debate as completely unacceptable and insisted there should be no guillotine.
Housing sector concerns
He raised alarm at pronouncements by the Taoiseach that would effectively hand the housing sector, lock, stock and barrel, to private, profit-driven investors, vulture funds and corporate landlords. He argued these are the actors responsible for the housing crisis and pointed out that the housing commission report has not yet been debated despite being published seven or eight months ago.
Requests to the business committee
Deputy Boyd Barrett sought a discussion on the housing crisis, on recent government announcements, and an opportunity to question the new minister about what he called the government's "crazy, crazy housing proposals." He said the business committee had been asked to facilitate that debate.
Parliamentary response and next steps
A parliamentary representative responded that the point raised to Deputy Nash about the timing of the bill had been answered and that they had no objection to a wider debate on housing policy. It was noted that a motion on housing is being brought forward by the Labour Party and that the minister will be present to respond when the motion is taken.
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Transcript
The government is planning to further expand the gravy train of ministerial jobs and allowances and they are doing it with a guillotine in order to suppress proper debate and discussion of the expanded gravy train they are planning. That is completely unacceptable. There shouldn't be a guillotine. Also, we've had very alarming pronouncements made by the Taoiseach that he is planning to effectively hand over the housing sector, lock, stock and barrel, to profit-driven investors, private investors, vulture funds and corporate landlords, the very people who are responsible for the housing crisis that we have. And still, still, we haven't had a discussion on a housing commission report that we've been asking for a debate for since it was published about seven or eight months ago. So, we are looking for, as was requested of the business committee, a discussion on the housing crisis, on the announcements the government are making and an opportunity to question the new minister about these crazy, crazy housing proposals from the government. Deputy Boyd Barrett raised the issue of the, I've answered that point to Deputy Nash on the timing provided for the bill and I have no objection to a wider debate on housing policy and I'm sure that can be facilitated over the next number of weeks. I know there is a motion being brought forward by the Labour Party on housing, so there is an opportunity to discuss housing in the House this week and indeed it was raised at, and the minister will be here to respond back to the motion whenever the motion is being taken. Thank you.