Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

——Cabra to Finglas and Finglas to Ballymun. That happens with every generation.

All aspects of the housing market have been under pressure in recent years because of the huge increase in population. One need only check the census figures to note that the population has increased by 8%. The percentage of people in the 25 to 34 year age bracket, which is the key household formation age group, has increased by18%, which is a huge increase. The people in that age bracket are working and contributing to the economy. Such an increase in the number in that age bracket has caused a huge demand for housing, be it private or other forms of housing. Dublin city is nearly totally built up. There is not much opportunity to provide further housing in the city other than increasing housing density. People are moving out further. Finglas County Council is the local authority area in which there has been the greatest level of development — a similar pattern applies to South Dublin County Council — and it has responded most to the challenge presented. Some people have moved to live in Drogheda, which is only up the road. Once one is at the airport it takes only ten minutes to reach Drogheda.

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