Mr. Eoin Dorgan:

On the first point, there is an element of consumer choice in terms of what people do with personal savings. The NTMA has State savings products, which are available, that will go towards the provision of housing. I would urge caution in the sense that when one ties what is a sovereign loan to a specific project, sometimes it can have a perception of being less secure, whereas the State does all its borrowing as a sovereign. It is similar to taxation; we do not hypothecate taxation either.

In terms of the Deputy’s other points, to be honest, it is really for the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government in terms of how local authorities interact with property holders.