Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)

I asked this question the last time this topic was discussed. No cost-benefit analysis has been carried out on the proposed second parallel runway at Dublin Airport. From the point of view of the Taoiseach and the interdepartmental team, it is a basic requirement that a project of such significance should have a cost-benefit analysis. Does he feel the interdepartmental group would make such a recommendation? According to the Taoiseach the group informs the Environmental Protection Agency on Government policy. Has it made recommendations on, for example, incineration, and the proposed super dump at the Nevitt in north County Dublin? Is it part of its remit to make such recommendations?

The issue of housing really highlights the problem of Government policy. Has the interdepartmental group had any reason to reflect on the way that Part V of the Planning and Development Act has been designed? Since 2002, some 7% of the 400,000 new houses have been social houses. Is there not a need to increase that number? Would the Taoiseach not agree that the 20% originally outlined in Part V is obviously better than the 7% and we require it to be——

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