Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this important topic. The LDA will actively manage the development of public land in a way that will make a major contribution to tackling the root causes of our housing issues. Broadly in line with the NESC report, it will make a substantial contribution to the achievement of wider Government targets for social housing and housing delivery in general.

The agency has significant potential to play a wider role, not only in addressing pressures in the housing sector in the short-to-medium term, but in the longer term to enable the urban development objectives of the national planning framework to be realised. I have every confidence in the work of the LDA and that it will ensure the optimal usage of State lands, co-ordinate regeneration and development in opening key sites and unlock their potential, especially for the delivery of new homes.

Regarding the Oscar Traynor Road site, it is my view that protecting ideology trumped all and affordable, high-quality homes for our citizens were sacrificed. That approach serves no good for people who are looking for affordable homes. There were inaccuracies in recent parliamentary questions. They were presented to the public and the media in a way that spun a false narrative. We must point that out. I have spoken to the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, who has engaged directly with the local authority to try to bring about a resolution, but we must be clear, in that the ideology that has been advanced by some will serve society no good and will not provide the affordable homes in long-term tenancies that our citizens richly deserve.

See this speech in context