Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I listened to the Deputy. I hear those stories every day and they belong to every party, constituency and political viewpoint. They do not belong to any one person. These things are happening, in particular, in some of the areas where the prices are highest, including in my own constituency. I listen to what is happening and I heed it. It is our first priority to provide for our younger people every day.

I was about to mention, before the time was up to reply, some of the real and practical measures we need. We can all talk but what are we doing? The doing is about the State coming together to act. That sometimes involves difficult choices. I had to make a difficult decision a few weeks ago around the Digital Hub Development Agency. It is a huge agency with the most highly regarded and best people, with whom I have worked for 20 years. I have seen Thomas Street and James's Street not being developed in those decades. We looked at the situation and said it is time to act. It is time to set up the Land Development Agency. Let us work collectively on that. I think the Deputy and I would agree on the need for public action, public investment and development on public lands. We need more of all of those things and this can only be the start.

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