The Labour leader sharply criticised the Government's housing policy. Mr Ruairi Quinn said there were probably 150,000 people in need of public housing.
"Couples who could previously expect to buy in the private sector can no longer afford to do so. A new housing category - affordable housing - has to be developed. It requires a radical and coherent response. Instead, we have got denial and deficiency", and from "Minister Dempsey, a total derogation of duty".
Despite the Flood tribunal revelations, the Government had no coherent plan available on land usage, he added.
Mr Quinn was speaking during the resumed debate on a Labour private member's motion calling for State intervention in the provision of building land.
Mr Conor Lenihan (FF, Dublin South West) said that three simple words were the solution to the problem: "rezone, rezone, rezone". Mr John Perry (FG, Sligo-Leitrim) said that the State should make large tracts of its land available for housing.
An amendment endorsing Government policy was carried by 69 votes to 64.
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