Mr. John O'Hara:

Of course we would support the extension of the exempted development to pubs. In the three years since the regulation came in, we have had 78 notifications. This has a potential for just over 200 homes or apartments. Every home and conversion is good and will improve the poor image of dereliction from some of these shops and public houses. However, it is not a solution to the housing crisis. It is a part solution but we need housing at volume to deal with the housing crisis.