Dr. Kieran Feighan:

I will address some of Deputy Ó Broin's questions. Our professional colleagues have addressed some of them and I am sure the witnesses from the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland will have a view also.

On the Deputy's first point about land value extraction and how to moderate or depress prices, there is a relationship between that and his question on compulsory purchase orders. As we stated in our submission, we are of the strong view that the authorities should have the power to issue compulsory purchase orders. Clearly, this can, in certain circumstances, impact on the land values, the purchase price and, ultimately, the cost of delivery.

The Deputy also asked where the balance lies between commercial activities and climate change or sustainability. As we stated in our submission, it is critical that this authority takes on board the principles of sustainability in delivering the units. Whether it delivers them directly or indirectly, the principle of sustainability and the need to provide the right housing in the right place at the right price are critical. While we have welcomed the commercial aspect of the agency, we believe it is critically important that we take on board that need for balance.

On the wider point of determining the various functions the committee has set out and the discussions it is having about the balance to be struck, there are a number of different ways to benchmark the performance of the agency. Some of these relate to commercial return, the number of units it delivers, the location of the units that are delivered, sustainability and so on. It is important that, through this committee and the legislation, some prioritisation or ranking is given to the benchmarking and the parameters by which, ultimately, the success or failure of the LDA will be determined.