Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

——to search State-owned lands to determine whether we could get 10,000 houses. People were sceptical that we would be able to provide affordable housing in this way within the programme. We examined all Departments and agencies and attained a number of over 10,000. Some of these houses are under construction, some are operating as swaps and others must go through the formal planning process with local authorities but will hopefully be built as quickly as possible. It will add 10,000 houses to the affordable housing initiative. This endeavour will follow its own process. Due to past experiences in this House, I have no intention of becoming involved in the planning process to help this stage be reached. I never would do that.

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