Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am asking the Department to go a step further. On layout and light, the officials know, and I have said this to them previously, that if there is a four-acre site where 40 houses are to be built, that is where the design is done as regards the layout of the site. The layout of the site has to be a blank canvas. I understand that. For example, you try to have as many windows as possible south facing. Now, with solar panels, we want to have houses angled in a certain way to try to capture the maximum amount of sun. I understand all of that, and getting the layout of roads and all that. That is why clever engineers are employed in local authorities. I welcome the information in the reply as it gives an understanding of the officials' thinking, but none of that precludes a standardised design.

As I said previously, the external wrap can look different. There can be some brick in the external texture of the house or whatever. You can ask any factory owner; if you want to produce something, you mass produce.