Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

With regard to the tenants in situscheme, the problem is that local authorities are still applying the allocation scheme when taking decisions. That means local authorities are taking decisions not to buy, notwithstanding the numbers mentioned by the Minister. I urge him to issue a circular to local authorities asking them to suspend the scheme of lettings for an emergency period of six months to ensure we get the maximum number of tenants in situand have a presumption to buy. I invite him to give us more detail on the sets of amendments he is proposing through the planning and development and foreshore (amendment) Bill, on which there have been reports in the media. Obviously, we are keen to see those amendments. My party will certainly support anything that accelerates the delivery of social or affordable homes. Our concern is that, at the end of a Dáil term, significant planning change is being brought in with very little time for scrutiny. Any additional information the Minister can give us on that today or any briefings he can provide to the committee early next week would be appreciated. The sooner we can get sight of those amendments, the better for us all.

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