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

I welcome all the witnesses, particularly Mr. Brannigan and Mr. Mahon from Longford County Council. My colleagues on the committee will be delighted to hear that I will not be talking about Longford on my own. I normally have a one-theme subject so I am delighted to have Mr. Brannigan and Mr. Mahon here. When we have the opportunity, I would like to send my best wishes to their colleague, John McKeon, who is recovering from illness. I hear great reports from him so hopefully the next time Mr. Brannigan and Mr. Mahon are back at the committee they will be able to bring Mr. McKeon with them because I know he is a valuable member of the team.

The main thing we wanted to hear from the witnesses was an update on the affordable housing. It is reasonable to assume from what was said that we are finally on the cusp of an affordable housing scheme for Longford. I ask the witnesses to respond to me on that first.