Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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I appreciate that Ms Stapleton but is it not the case that in the decades when we were able to deliver large numbers of houses through local authorities that the local authorities had more latitude and autonomy? The councillors, who are the local authorities in those areas, from my experience the councillors from all parties - because there is pressure on them locally - will try to get homes built as quickly as possible and where they are needed. The councillors are very good at identifying where they are needed because it can be seen from the monthly reports from the manager where the waiting lists are going, etc. Is it not the case we need to give them more freedom and trust them a little? We have good quality engineers in local authorities and good quality councillors and housing officials. Could the Department look at ways of freeing up the autonomy? Ms Stapleton mentioned quarterly meetings about design. At one stage some of the best homes I saw were designed by a technician. They were not even designed by an engineer or somebody at that grade. I can assure Ms Stapleton that they withstood the test of time.