Mr. David Browne:

We did a study in Galway recently, examining a "carry on as you are" scenario and a proper sustainable compact city scenario. Galway can meet its population needs, which will be substantial over the next 50 years, by building within the existing city boundary at an overall density of about 35 to 40 units per hectare. Galway currently has a density of 13 units per hectare. If that were doubled and one built at 26 units per hectare, the city would become a catastrophic mess. It would grow to double its size. As we already know, Galway is impossible to get around. The city would choke, would become unattractive for inward investment and would start to careen into a city that is not viable in the future. We cannot go on with the two-bedroom, semi-detached model. It is not viable for the future.