Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

One final question brings us full circle. The purpose of this inquiry is not just to look at the past but to look into the future and see what lessons can be drawn. With regard to my earlier engagement about how the planning laws deal with one-off housing, it is commonly noted that the Irish people have a love affair with property. There is a high percentage of home ownership compared to other similar countries. Was that the case and does it still hold despite the crash? Given that this is in our DNA, to use the term Mr. McDonald used earlier, how might this be responded to best to protect the public interest in the future?