Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank Ms Neary and her team. Everyone says there is much uncertainty about Brexit but we are here to discuss its fallout and potential impact on the Irish property sector, which is a broad issue.

There are many challenges both in terms of Brexit but also in terms of our national issues such as housing. I want to focus on three challenges. On the need to increase housing supply, we have a national problem, not to mention an international problem. I refer also to the cost of construction, which is linked to many other issues. The constraints on infrastructure are a frustrating development per seacross the spectrum in terms of jobs, affordable housing and so on. A lack of proper infrastructure will impact on all aspects of construction. I want to tease out those three issues by asking a few questions.

Ms Neary's presentation deals with the national planning framework, which is based on net migration of approximately 20,000 people per annum up to 2040. That is not in dispute. However, Ms Neary then stated there are capacity constraints in our economy in areas such as employment, housing and transport, as we all know, which limit the potential for net migration to be sustained at very high levels. In the face of such uncertainty, she said, the Department is currently planning based on mid-range population growth. What does she mean by "mid-range"? What figures is she talking about? More people will want to move to cities such as Dublin and the east coast because that is where our industry is located and most of our commerce is done. The national planning framework, which I support, outlines objectives and targets for infrastructure and development across the country, but much of that is aspiration. In respect of those key areas, Ms Neary is from the Department. Can she explain to us how we will increase housing supply to meet the demand, which ties in with our current demand? I am more interested in the social and affordable aspect of that. How will we address the issue of reducing the costs of construction? We know about the potential tariffs and additional forms of taxes that may arise as a result of Brexit. We know that a high percentage of our construction and building products come from the United Kingdom. How will we address all of that because it will have a major impact? Based on our economy and the size of the country, most of those materials are coming from the UK. What is the Department's plan in that regard.

I mean no disrespect to any of the witnesses but we know most of what is contained in the presentation. I am more interested in hearing about the proactive measures that will be taken, although I accept it is difficult to plan precisely for that because of the uncertainty of the Brexit issue.

Ms Neary's colleagues would have knowledge of the need for a national infrastructure authority.

That is an important aspect of all of that. I know they may not be prepared for all of this today, but they might revert to the committee.

These matters are critical, namely, the increase of our housing supply, the cost of construction and, more important, acknowledging and bringing down the high cost, as well as the serious impact of tariffs and additional taxes post Brexit because at the end of the day someone will have to pay for them. I will not go into any further detail on the construction of materials because it has been covered. Will the witnesses comment briefly on a few of those issues?