Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I agree with Deputy Mattie McGrath about the use of the guillotine. It is not an acceptable practice. It is a pity because a considerable amount of time was spent on the Bill in committee and it was a good process with good engagement. It is a pity the time is not being allocated to finish the process properly because I believe legislation benefits from discussion and scrutiny.

There is a key thing missing in this Bill and in the direction the LDA is going, that is, the area of strategic land assembly, which is what the LDA was originally meant to be about and what all those reports from the NESC and others were meant to be about. Without strong CPO powers to allow the LDA to buy land that would be suitable for housing but is, for example, zoned for agriculture at the moment, and without the opportunity to assemble that land bank, we will not have a sufficient pipeline of land at an affordable rate which then brings down the cost of delivery to ensure we can provide affordable homes for purchase and cost rental. That is missing here.

There is a lot of value in what the Minister is looking to do here in terms of State agency lands. That is important and will be significant. However, what is missing is the piece around strategic land assembly allowing for a pipeline of land and ensuring that the uplift from rezoning is not captured privately but publicly, and that the public act of putting in infrastructure and zoning land is leading to more affordable homes. I am concerned about that. It is worth noting that the former chair of the LDA, Mr. John Moran, has been highly critical of the lack of funding and has said that the €1.25 billion in funding and the €1.25 billion available in borrowing are highly insufficient. That level of funding will not go near to supplying the 150,000 homes it was originally envisaged the LDA would be providing.

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