Kevin Humphreys (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I was not going to contribute, but then the Leader did. He was right on many matters, for example, density and balanced regional growth. We want to deliver sustainable communities, not just in Dublin, but also in Cork, Galway, Carlow, Kilkenny and many other places. There is significant potential in areas like unused docklands. The structures of the strategic development zones present an opportunity to pursue that in a planned way. However, there must also be quality and sustainable communities.

When the Bill was before the Seanad previously, I voiced a concern when the Minister of State tabled an amendment on shared living spaces. I will flag it again now. One of the major flaws in the Bill is the amendment on what I call "student living for adults". I have checked our previous debate. The Minister of State said that the market would decide. Unfortunately, my discussions since then with real estate investment trusts, REITs, and people working in the business have shown that shared living is what will be offered to young people who are leaving college or going into work.Nobody asked them whether they wanted it, but that is what will be offered to them. I have grave reservations about that amendment and still believe the downfall in the long term in future development will be shared living or student accommodation for those who are starting work. They want their own accommodation. Everyone to whom I have spoken in the 25 to 35 age group says he or she wants his or her own accommodation. They do not necessarily want to move into student accommodation - they did that all the way through college - but that is what the major developers and the REITS company will offer them and that is all that will be in the markets in major urban areas. It was introduced very late in this legislation-----