John Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am not suggesting zoning an inordinate amount of land, but I am putting a point to Ms O'Connor regarding the data that emerged from the 2022 census, notwithstanding the requirement to have compact growth. We are seeing a prime example of such a context on the north quays in Waterford city, where the NTA has been involved in the context of the public transport network. This is an appropriate site for high-density development of in excess of 200 units. On the outskirts of Waterford city, however, apartments are, essentially, being demanded for that location, whereas there are no buyers on the other side for apartment units on the ring road in Waterford city. This is where the challenge lies regarding the balance between what we require versus what the market is willing to purchase. Yes, we can do creative things in terms of social housing, cost-rental and all the rest of it to bring these units into activation, but there is a competing question here concerning how we strike this balance in the right locations. This to me is where the challenge lies for the plan.