John Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The net effect of this amendment would be to remove the ability of the LDA to provide affordable homes for people. Senator Boyhan referred to Shanganagh Castle. The LDA is going to break ground on that site this year to provide 597 mixed tenure homes. We will not be able to provide affordable purchase units on that site if this amendment is passed. In the same spirit of co-operation the Government showed in accepting the previous amendment on including co-operative bodies, I ask Senator Warfield to reconsider his decision to press this amendment. The amendment would have the net effect of dismantling the ability of the LDA to provide affordable homes for people in this State. That would be a regressive step and it is not one that can be supported.