Denise Mitchell (Dublin Bay North, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Minister of State, Deputy Malcolm Noonan, is aware that the majority of Dublin city councillors last night voted against the disposal of the Lawrence Lands site to a private developer. Let us be clear: the councillors voted for public housing on public land. The proposal that was put forward by Dublin City Council, DCC, was not acceptable to local councillors. The price of the so-called affordable houses ranged from €325,000 to €380,000. This is completely unacceptable. In what world is that affordable? People in the area are paying enormous rents and are waiting for up to 15 years on the housing list. They cannot afford to wait any longer.

Sinn Féin fought for the development of this site. Local communities want to see this site developed but want to see the right type of housing. It needs to be social, affordable and it needs to be cost rental. We also want to make sure that facilities are provided for the community, such as schools and local services. We have only one chance to get this right and the development needs to deliver for people in dire need of housing. Last night was a signal of the type of housing people in my constituency need and want and the council must deliver that. The Minister of State knows what councillors want to see built on this site. They want public housing on public land. Will he commit to meet them to progress this further?

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