Aubrey McCarthy (Independent)

I thank the witnesses for their opening statements. This committee is hearing that the biggest issue is the availability of serviceable land. In Mr. Coleman's opening statement he identified the availability of residential zoned land as one the key challenges facing the delivery of housing in Ireland. He also said that the LDA is actively assisting in the response to this challenge in collaboration with the Government and other stakeholders. Will he give an example of this collaboration? He has said, "To increase land availability, for example, the Government has asked local authorities to review and align their city and county development plans with the new housing targets in the revised National Planning Framework." The statement suggests the issuing of Government housing targets has been a blockage up to now for the delivery of housing. I know the Minister sent a letter round on 16 May. From Mr. Coleman's statement it seems the housing targets have been delivered to the local authorities, but I am hearing that the local authorities do not have the updated housing targets. There seems to be a blockage there. Will he clarify the statement and confirm the LDA's view on the specific blockages? We start off by saying we need land, and we are not getting it. Where exactly are the blockages and what are the updated housing numbers?