Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

The Taoiseach is correct in that there is a greater variety of formulae for providing housing, which is to be welcomed and which is supported by the Labour Party. The problem is that the Government, at present, is involved in a process of reduction. I am told that the local authorities' construction programme has been effectively wound down, with little or no local authority construction taking place. There were fewer dwellings purchased by local authorities last year than the previous year, with 900 bought last year compared to 3,000 or 4,000 the year before. There has been a winding down of purchase activity.

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