Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I am glad the sustainability aspect was raised. It is not purely about housing figures. Unless we can build at density and overcome affordability and viability issues, we will also encounter climate challenges. It is viable to keep building semi-detached houses on greenfield after greenfield. They could be built all day long and there would not be an affordability issue. However, affordability also relates to the carbon output and the locked-in carbon lifestyle that goes with continued spread. It is critical the State acts to bridge that gap and make that happen, as it does in many sectors of society. The State steps in and provides a grant or fund because it makes sense and is needed.