Dan Boyle (Green Party)

I share the concern on some of the reasons cited. We must be clear that a funding mechanism for the projects has collapsed and there is an onus on the local authority concerned and the appropriate Department to ensure a proper, appropriate funding mechanism is put in place. The communities identified are in need of housing and these projects should be completed as soon as possible. We should be cognisant of the views of the outgoing Comptroller and Auditor General, Mr. John Purcell, who expressed as his parting gift his reservation about an over-reliance on public private partnerships as a funding mechanism. If we need a lesson on that, the events of the past few days are a good example. If the developers concerned cite the need for those in need of social housing to live in energy efficient houses of sufficient space as a reason not to proceed or involve themselves in such projects, they are not doing our society any good whatsoever.