Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

One would have to point out to the Taoiseach that Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000 was brought in some years ago. We are now heading into 2007. The five-year position in respect of planning approvals kicking in would surely have shown before now. Much of the response the Taoiseach has given this afternoon is clearly from a briefing note prepared last year, which did not kick in this year either and I fear will not do so in 2007. It is stale and needs to be revisited.

There are 44,000 identifiable household units across this State, including a great number of people in the city of Dublin, who are anxiously waiting for the provision of social or affordable housing. Only 5% of the houses completed across this State in the first three months of this year were in the social or affordable housing category. Does the Taoiseach agree that this is a very poor number, given that there is a real crisis, identified by a raft of organisations and commentators in this area?

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