Mary Fitzpatrick (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the Fianna Fáil group, I advise the committee that we will not support this amendment. We are very anxious to conclude our business today. We are trying to facilitate the completion of the report on the affordable housing Bill so that legislation can be introduced to start to address the housing crisis in a meaningful way, with the provision of affordable housing to rent and purchase by local authorities, approved housing bodies and not-for-profit organisations.

The political motivation behind this amendment is fairly clear but the reality is that the serviced site fund is set up under regulation. It is a €310 million fund dedicated to supporting the provision of affordable housing not for-profit housing. The second criterion mentioned in this amendment is private developers. It is a very broad term to use. It is used, in this instance, to signal a certain political position but it excludes ethical, sustainable investors. We are determined to use every mechanism to address this housing crisis, which is one of both supply and affordability. On that basis, the Fianna Fáil group will not support this amendment.