Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

The points on timber frames and fire safety are valid. Unfortunately, there are examples where it has not been done properly. I would not have full confidence that all of the lessons have been learned yet.

Ms Hegarty referred to six storeys being cost optimal. With regard to reasonable density, a very strong argument has been put forward by others, including Lorcan Sirr and the Irish Home Builders Association, that sometimes it is better to have duplexes with a ground-floor apartment than four-storey apartment buildings. In these three stories very reasonable density can still be achieved. It can also be more cost-effective which means it can be more affordable. What are the views of the witnesses on the three-storey duplex model and the six-storey apartment model? Is there a strong case that we should be looking at three-storey buildings with duplexes if four-storey apartments are not affordable to build and, for the slightly higher options, we should be looking at six storeys?