Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the delegates for coming and giving of their time. I am particularly interested in PII, of which I am a great supporter. I have met Dr. Duffy on many occasions, which gives me a slight advantage because he posed a lot of questions in the past year or two on the occasions I came across him and I have also read some of his publications and corresponded with him. On behalf of PII, earlier this year he sent key messages and solutions. I am more interested in hearing how we have progressed in that regard. I will touch on a few issues, but, first, I acknowledge the important work that he does. I know that he is affiliated to IBEC as a partner. As an organisation, IBEC has taken a responsible view in advocating, talking about and dealing with the challenges presented by Brexit across the wide gambit of areas it looks after. That is important and it plays an important role. Some people do not always recognise the work it does.

I will focus on five key issues, the ones raised by Dr. Duffy in his presentation and of which I am well aware. The first is how to facilitate an increase in the supply of housing. Dr. Duffy made a valid and important comment when he said, regardless of the Brexit-proofing of Rebuilding Ireland, that we knew we had a national housing crisis. That is a problem he addressed.

To facilitate an increased housing supply a point has been made about lowering the cost of construction. The delegates would have heard the Department's lack of a specific response.

On infrastructural constraints, what are the delegates' views on a national infrastructure authority similar to the bodies in place in New Zealand, Australia and Canada? Infrastructure constantly comes up as an issue when one talks to IBEC about the roll-out of construction projects, be it industrial or housing.

How does regional development and spatial planning fit into the national planning framework? I reckon Dr. Duffy is an advocate of the framework from what he has said in the past few months.

Increased competition is an important factor. What is Dr. Duffy's view on it?

Another issue about which we have not heard much is the shortage of skills in the construction sector. It brings challenges with new people coming in, movement in the labour market and the creation of apprenticeships. What are the delegates' views on the challenges presented?