Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

The real concern is those two pages do not address the question of targets, the principal question I asked. I use the term "targets" because I read a circular on the RTÉ news website recently in which the Taoiseach was quoted directly as saying it was important that targets be set for the 31 local authorities. Nowhere in this response which was drawn up by a civil servant are targets mentioned. We can keep admitting that we have problems, but if we do not set targets for delivery across the 31 local authorities, how can improvements be measured?

I am reminded by my colleague, the former Minister for Justice and Equality, Senator McDowell, that 14 years ago Shanganagh Castle was sold to the local authority for the delivery of housing. The site has been sat on it ever since and nothing has been done about it. There a major affordability crisis in the area. We also have the Central Mental Hospital in Dundrum where approximately 36 acres of State lands are being sat on. I have singled out two State sites, for neither of which are there major plans for the delivery of affordable housing. The clock is ticking; we have to deliver affordable houses, for both purchase and rental.

I thank the Minister of State and ask him to convey to the necessary authorities in the Customs House the need to respond to me this week with some explanation or rationale as to why Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown could not accept or agree to some compromise for an affordable housing priority draft scheme.