Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

Increasingly, that will no longer be the case. Output is now gathering momentum. Last year, 1,400 units came under Part V, 600 the year before, and the total to date is about 2,100. In addition, local authorities, using the various flexible options now available to satisfy Part V obligations, have acquired land, or partially or fully serviced sites, and funds which will assist in the delivery of social and affordable housing options in the coming years.

All developers are now fulfilling their legal obligations in this regard. I do not mind if they do so by means of cash or sites or whatever, as that is part of the law. Developers can offer anything they like to the local authority but the authority decides, and such authorities know it is houses that people want. However, if a local authority decides that in accordance with its housing strategy, it will allow a developer to fulfil his or her legal obligations otherwise, so be it.

The Government has been alive to the particular affordability issues in the greater Dublin area and has responded comprehensively. A key initiative in that regard was the establishment of the affordable homes partnership last year, with a focused mandate to co-ordinate and add impetus to the delivery of affordable housing in and around the capital. We can talk about the Kenny report until the cows come home, and the all-party committee's comments last year, but it is a case of spending one's life in the Supreme Court arguing a case or getting on with it.