Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister to the House and genuinely wish him well with the Bill to which I want to confine my remarks. We have very limited time and I want to focus on some, rather than all, aspects of the Bill. Before I go any further, I want to thank the Minister's officials for the very meaningful and helpful engagement yesterday which was arranged by the Minister and his Department. While few attended the meeting, it was interesting. I do not know what feedback the Minister received, but we will move on.

I thank the Minister for his comprehensive report. I have spoken to approximately 45 councillors around the country, so I know the level of engagement the Minister has had. He has heard the concerns and reservations of representatives. The Minister's Action Plan on Housing and Homelessness: Rebuilding Ireland is a very comprehensive document. He has a target of 47,000 houses and has set his own timelines and dates. There are five pillars and 84 key objectives. The committee, which is working well, examined the document, and I want to salute Senator Maria Bailey, the team and all the support staff. It is a positive forum. I am very much behind the Minister and his policies, and I am happy to play my part.

We also have to deal with some realities. It has been confirmed by the Minister's officials that there are over 27,000 live planning applications in Dublin alone. We need to remember that the Minister's objective is 47,000 within the lifetime of the plan. Why is nothing happening?