Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity) | Oireachtas source

It is clear from the reply that there are vast tranches of public land already zoned for residential development. I understand that between the National Asset Management Agency, NAMA, and the local authorities, there is sufficient such land to build 114,000 new homes. Why is the Government proposing a privatisation model regarding large tranches of that land? If there is 60% private development on what is now a State asset, what will be the price of those houses? The average price of a new home in Dublin currently is €446,000. How affordable is that?

I want to ask questions about the official definition of "affordable" but I will leave that for the supplementary question. I ask the Minister directly about his plans for what is in effect - he cannot deny otherwise - the largest privatisation programme of land in the history of the State.

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