Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am glad the Minister went to Mallow to see the houses that are going to be sold to people at an affordable rate. However, the people of Clare want houses and not ideas. The Minister told me initially that Clare does not qualify under the various criteria or that homes were deemed already to be affordable in comparison with other counties. It came as a surprise to me when I heard that this summer and it will come as a surprise to others. If the Minister is saying that the delay is on the part of Clare County Council, I am happy to go back to the council, but that is not what I am hearing from its representatives. The Minister is saying the delay is a result of Clare County Council not having its act together and I would be surprised if that were the case. If it is the case, I am happy to go back to the council. If the problem is the criteria the Department is laying down, which I understood to be the case, that needs to be addressed at a national level.

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