Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senators for engaging in the debate. I do not propose to accept this amendment. In respect of allowing, where appropriate, housing authorities to enter into such arrangements, including joint ventures, in order to deliver affordable housing for sale in one of the ways that might deliver housing, as I said previously and as some Members have referenced, the LDA will be a game changer in terms of delivering high-quality affordable houses to our citizens along with cost-rental options. This is quite rightly mentioned in the NESC report and is rightly aligned to the LDA. This is very important. The singular view that is being put forward as a solution is that we should not have mixed tenure and the mixed sustainable communities this society so badly needs. We know it makes good policy. The best option is all actors coming together from social, affordable, cos- rental and private housing to allow families to realise their potential. That is the spirit of this Bill. We are trying to ensure we have affordable homes and we are solving this crisis and are not diminishing options for any citizen. We want to provide more houses for all first-time buyers to give them the chance to get the keys to their first home.