Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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The national planning framework is a planning document that looks at how we will plan in terms of the make-up. I believe that the ESRI's final report will be a key component in the update of the national planning framework in terms of population because the shifts of population are different in different areas of the country.

We believe that what Deputy Ó Broin is talking about is covered. We are getting the ESRI to do a body of work because we have had a census recently. We want to update that. We are looking at the implications for future population projections and the structural housing demand. I believe the point the Deputy is making is covered under section 19(3)(a). The two points I want to link in are future population change and associated housing. Obviously, implicit in that is to look at what the current situation is as well.

We will provide the Deputy with the terms of reference. We can agree to differ. Ultimately, the national planning framework is a key document in feeding into the type of houses we require and the change in population. One can use the technical term "headship". For me, it is about family sizes and various structures. A key element implicit in that is the building of homes.

We have built over 30,000 units in the past year - we are ahead of target - and we are seeing 500 to 600 people per week purchasing their first home. We are very much going in the right direction. Would we like to build more houses? Absolutely. That is our objective. I do not think it is fair to say that we are not building; we are.