Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Where did the Tánaiste get the figure of 18,000? Since 2008 and 2009, housing output has been disastrous in addressing the needs of the hundreds of thousands people on housing lists. On Second Stage, I said I could not see if the blockages were due to local authorities. I have discussed this since with senior planning personnel in Dublin City Council and other Dublin local authorities. We turned out incredible annual numbers in the mid-Noughties such as 57,000, 68,000, 76,000, 80,000, 90,000 and 78,000 units with the current system. Will the Minister accept this reasonable amendment and start focusing on supply?

I salute those people in Home Sweet Home and the Irish Housing Network, driven to desperation and who felt the need to get some housing a week before Christmas. I also salute the Unite trade union and all the other organisations which have supported it.

I commend the amendment.

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