Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Anti-Austerity Alliance) | Oireachtas source

I will clarify one thing. People might not understand that the developer who built these houses owns them. The crash came and he could not sell them. If the State was to buy them, I do not see that as caving in. It would add to the housing stock and I will tell the Chairman why. At least half of the people involved are on the council's housing list in any event and could become council tenants. The council used to do affordable housing and that is very important because there are many people who do not qualify for council housing because their incomes are too high.