Conor Sheehan (Limerick City, Labour)

I thank the Chair and the witnesses. I want to return to the issue of apartment viability. There has been a huge fall in the number of commencements for apartments. How much further do the witnesses forecast that to fall? We have issues with density in respect of apartments. I often see apartments being constructed in places where they are not particularly needed. They are then primarily used for social housing because the State is the only agent that will pay for them. What we are doing wrong? Is there an example from another jurisdiction of how we can make apartment construction at scale viable?

In regard to rent and rent caps, the witnesses have been somewhat critical of the system that was recommended by the Housing Commission in terms of moving to reference rents. Is there a mechanism by which we could move to reference rents in a way that would protect renters, as in stop the rental market spiralling further out of control, and also stimulate the level of additional investment we need? Will the witnesses also outline how they believe we could better leverage the significant amount being held on deposit at the moment?

How confident are they that the new Planning and Development Act will address the issues the planning issues they outlined? Are there aspects of it that they believe should be front-loaded? Will they reflect on the comments that the Minister for housing made today regarding judicial review possibly being weaponised? In regard to house pricing, what percentage do they believe house prices need to come down in order to take the heat out of the housing market?