Colette Kelleher (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I will first put my questions to the ESRI but there may be some crossover with the NESC. The ESRI stated land costs are a substantial portion of the overall cost of building homes and came down strongly on the site tax. Does the institute believe such a measure needs to sit alongside any legislation relating to the Land Development Agency and that it is a necessary part of the package?

I am greatly concerned we will hand over an enormous public asset. Publicly held lands belong to all of us and we need to be sure that we will get what we need out of the transfer. What we need are social and affordable homes. Mr. Cahill stated that should be an explicit objective of the Land Development Agency. I was concerned when I read in the heads of the Bill that the general scheme makes clear the LDA must also have regard to the policy of the Government on proper planning and sustainable development and contribute to the economic and social development of the State, while at the same time obtaining a positive financial return for the State. That seems to be a difficulty and we need to consider it in the drafting of the Bill as part of public scrutiny. While it is not related to public land, Bessborough, which is held by nuns, is up for sale, as are other similar lands. There is little that anyone can do about the disposal of such an asset.