Mr. John Coleman:

I will reiterate some of Ms Graham's points. The journey over the past year has been most informative concerning what we need to address. There are many elements that, had we not had this experience, might not have been advised and reflected in the Bill.

As to the question of taking over from local authorities, it comes back to the avoidance of duplication. We do not want to do something that is already being done well elsewhere. A good illustration of that can be found at the Shanganagh site. If the desire of the local authority was to develop entirely social homes on that site, we would probably say that there was no role for us, as the local authority would be well capable of doing that itself. It is where we can add something that we have a role, for example, a financing structure around cost rental.

The Deputy's point about the Balbriggan site's master plan, which we have fed into over the past year, was well made. It effectively sets planning policy in the area, but I was referring to much of the other work that was necessary to advance development, for example, examining infrastructural constraints and the solutions to them.

My point holds generally, but one can discuss where we fall on the development spectrum. We have no view on the lobbying point because that is a matter for the Oireachtas. We respect the authority of the Houses in that regard. The Deputy referred to affordable purchase. We have no philosophical objection to affordable purchase which is a product that will suit many locations and people. As such, we will continue to engage and work with the Department and to work within the prevailing policy on affordable purchase.