Joe Flaherty (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

With due respect, Mr. Taaffe gave me that answer the last time. I cannot understand why he is not moving on this. He said that his organisation bases the criteria on the CSO housing price figures. We know that the housing market collapsed and people could have bought a house in Longford for between €40,000 and €60,000. If only 100 houses were sold each year in Longford over the past ten years, there is no way we will get an average house price that will show an affordability crisis or challenge for the public in Longford. The reality is that if a young couple wants to buy a three-bedroom, semi-detached starter home, not one has been built in Longford for 12 years. There is no housing. The issue has to be looked at in the round. Clinging to CSO figures, while it is great and ticks a box for the County and City Management Association, is not the solution. It has to take its foot off the brake and let affordable housing be provided in rural Ireland. It is not the panacea and will not sort the problem, but it is one minor pressure valve.