James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)

I thank Deputy O'Meara for raising this important issue. I am legally precluded from commenting on any particular planning cases. As already stated, the Minister of State, Deputy Cummins, is leading the public consultation. That consultation will commence next month as opposed to than next week. The Minister of State has already completed the interdepartmental consultation process, so his work on this matter is advancing quite rapidly. We are looking at all options as to what we can do to deliver. Modern methods of construction are crucial to ramping up the speed of delivery of homes, be they modular or of any other type. The programme for Government is clear in its significant commitment to the use of modern methods of construction. We are working with the Department of enterprise to ensure that the relevant requirements are in place and that this happens as quickly as possible.

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