Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

This week several housing experts have raised serious questions about the Government's Land Development Agency and have, in effect, characterised it as a land privatisation agency. The agency will have sweeping powers outside of direct Government control and will have an unmistakably commercial remit akin to that of speculative developers, according to one expert, with building work outsourced. This approach is described by some as very high risk and coming at a premium price. The agency, I understand, is to be outside the remit of the Freedom of Information, FOI, Act and will provide only 10% social housing. Will the Government legislate to ensure that the agency does not sell off public land? Will the Government ensure that the agency is subject to FOI?

See this speech in context