Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As regards the recent media report, published yesterday morning, in respect of us setting aside the environmental assessments, that is totally incorrect. It was an incorrect report. There is no question of us doing that. We are drafting the specific amendment at the moment. I met with the Attorney General last night. As soon as we have that amendment, I will be happy to ensure that Government and Opposition Deputies are briefed. I would like us to be able to bring this forward and, as much as possible, get broad agreement on it because it is about accelerating social housing delivery, particularly through looking at lands that local authorities may have had for some time but are encumbered. The purpose of the fund I have brought forward is that, in effect, we will take that debt on and write it down for the local authority on the basis that it brings forward the delivery of schemes quickly.

I am also looking at measures around how we will manage that process for local authorities. I do not want this to be instead of other social and affordable homes that are coming forward. This is about additionality.

I will give a commitment to Deputies that as soon as the amendment is approved and drafted, we will look at providing a briefing, certainly by early next week. That Bill will come to the Seanad next week. We will give it a little time. I want to bring that amendment forward on Committee Stage in the Seanad, should we have it agreed. I will absolutely ensure that Deputies have sight of that because it will give them an opportunity, hopefully, to get their heads around the amendment we are bringing forward in order that we can get support for it right across the House.

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