Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I will be brief. I thank the Minister for engaging with us. I also thank the Senators who have engaged in this debate. It has been a good debate. People are passionate about housing but they are also passionate about local government. As I said at the outset, the powers and functions of our elected councillors are important. I am not going to dwell much longer on the issue because I have made the point.

I acknowledge the work of Mr. John Coleman, chief executive of the LDA. He is an amazing man and a good guy. He has done a good job so far. He has engaged with our committee and that is important. I have always supported the LDA. I am particularly delighted it will come to Shanganagh Castle in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown. You can look at the statistics, figures and costs relating to the council's acquisition of that site from the Department of Justice. Substantial money was involved, although that is another day's work. It is for somebody else to look at the value for money that was achieved, considering the price for which the site was acquired by the local authority and all of the fallout from that. That is not for today. Today is about the fact we are going to get more houses. Nobody in this House is against the building of houses in any shape, form or mix.

I will touch on Oscar Traynor Road project. I have engaged with some officials about that project. The councillors had a right to stop the development on that site. They secured a better deal that will include the provision of more homes.However, we will not go into all that now. That is for it the elected members of Dublin City Council who took those decisions legitimately. It is about better local government and empowering our councillors. It also envisages the powers directly elected mayors will have in all of this because they have nothing at the moment. We will have an opportunity to discuss that in subsequent legislation.

I thank the staff in the Library and Research Service. Based on its briefing, it is clear that the elected members will have some of the reserve functions removed. The Bills Digest, Land Development Agency Bill 2021, No. 11 of 2021, prepared by the Oireachtas Library and Research Service, is an excellent document and sets out independently all the issues. Before I leave this evening, I will send it to all the 990 councillors. It casts an independent light on the matter.

I thank the Minister for his engagement. I thank also the elected members for their engagement. I am happy to put the amendment to the House for a vote and put on record where we stand.