Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Gallagher. I was intrigued at my colleague saying this measure was a little developer-led. It must be developer-led. In a sense, this is a case of social segregation rather than the integration the then Minister for the Environment and Local Government, Deputy Noel Dempsey, had in mind when he introduced the Planning and Development Act, 2000. In fairness to him, when he introduced the Act, a process to which I contributed, he did say it was not cast in stone. The truth is that it has not worked for local authorities. A huge staffing level is required and the local authorities are undermanned. They really did not know how to handle the initiative. Builders and developers held onto land. As we all know – Senator Fitzgerald better than any of us – several major owners control the land banks that remain around Dublin. The situation is similar in Cork, except that the number of individuals is smaller.

A very good developer friend of mine told me a week ago that one individual he knows well in Cork swore publicly at a meeting that he would not build a single house while the Act stood in its present form. I do not know what went on, but there was a lot of lobbying. As Senator Quinn pointed out, this Bill was not forecast. It is now being brought forward before Christmas. Despite this, if it solves the problem, I will welcome it. If it produces more social and affordable housing, I will welcome it. I am nevertheless intrigued and amused at its timing.