Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)

They have bases of work in Dublin and homes elsewhere. Given market trends, there is an overhang of approximately 30,000 vacant units in the country, of which 5,500 are in the Dublin area. It is important to remember that certain developers have generated significant buyer interest by reducing prices. The House will recall a 28% increase in house prices in the 18-month period between 2005 and 2006. The current situation shows that, when realistic prices are offered, people are willing to buy and weakened sales have improved dramatically as a result.

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