Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I have a general point and then a question in support of Deputy O'Callaghan's amendment. Last year, the total number of new-build apartments delivered was approximately 11,000, according to the CSO completion data. Through analysis of stamp duty transactions, the total number of apartments purchased is approximately 800. There is clearly an issue here. As Deputy O'Callaghan has said, the issue is central in terms of compact growth in our urban cores, with Dublin being the most obvious. The Minister of State is saying a minimum percentage of, say, 50%. There is no evidence for that. I have some sympathy with his argument. What is the metric, or tool, against which a housing strategy - and, flowing from that, decisions around planning - can adequately assess what the percentage should be in any given location or place? He mentioned earlier that the HNDA deals with these things. It does not deal with it at a sub-county level. If a planning application, for example, has been submitted in a location where there is a need for a mixture of owner occupation and private rental, the HNDA does not provide the data to make that assessment. If you are not in favour of a percentage, how do our local authorities, in their housing strategies, decide what the appropriate mix is in any particular area? The HNDA does not do it, the Minister of State is not willing to accept a percentage, and the current system does not work as per the completion data and the stamp duty transactions from last year. How do we fix this conundrum if he is not going to accept the amendment as presented by Deputy O'Callaghan?