Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I refer to the Land Development Agency, which I have raised in the House on a number of occasions. The establishment of the agency was announced and a statutory instrument signed in September 2018. The agency is intended to manage the regeneration of land, particularly State lands, deliver affordable housing, work constructively and consolidate land banks on public lands between the private and public sectors. It is expected to support collaborative structures, including mergers between public and private entities to maximise the potential for the delivery of affordable housing and social housing. I raise this in the context of a debate on affordability we had this morning at a meeting of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government.We had a presentation by the Dublin City Council chief executive, Mr. Owen Keegan, and the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council chief executive, Ms Philomena Poole, among others. The absence of the Land Development Agency Bill was very clear from the discussion and the interaction with other county managers across the country. It has been promised for a long time. The significance of this is that, in effect, no lands can be transferred as there is not yet a legal entity called the Land Development Agency. As we have been advised that no lands can be transferred when this entity does not exist, it is critical that we get it up and running with the required legislation. Will the Leader speak to the relevant Ministers to find out what the issue is with the Bill? The legislation could be initiated in the Seanad. We have spoken about wanting to be constructive and everybody wants to be constructive. There is time in our schedule. We meet three days a week and this can be extended. Let us take on such matters if that is the wish of the relevant Ministers. Will the Leader come back to the House on this issue after speaking to the Ministers?

I second the amendment to the Order of Business proposed by my colleague with respect to the Judicial Appointments Bill. We should amend the schedule as suggested.