John Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Boyhan touched on what the outcome of accepting the amendments in this group would be. They would result in the State having one hand tied behind its back. In a housing crisis, one cannot go into the sweet shop and say one will only take this bit and that bit. We need to look at absolutely every mechanism possible to deliver homes for the people of this country. Earlier this week, Fingal County Council approved a scheme to deliver 1,200 homes in Donabate. That proposal was opposed by Sinn Féin and the Social Democrats. Of the 1,200 homes to be built, 20% will be affordable, 20% social and 60% will be private homes. Senator Boyhan has made the point before that nobody cares whether houses are built by the local authority, an approved housing body, the Land Development Agency or a private developer. People want homes and that is what we are trying to provide. We cannot tie the hands of the State behind its back in this regard, which is what these amendments would do if they were passed. That is why I will be opposing them.