Chris Andrews (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Six years ago, there was an agreement for 900 social and affordable homes on the Irish Glass Bottle site. The agreement was put together between An Bord Pleanála, Dublin City Council, the Government, the then Minister for housing, Eoghan Murphy, and the housing action group in Ringsend. There was going to be 350 social houses and 550 affordable homes. That was the agreement the then Minister signed off on. Now it seems that is being reneged on because there will not be any affordable housing in the first phase of the scheme. That will make it much more difficult to ensure the remaining 550 homes are squeezed into the last phases.

Obviously, this is devastating for residents and it will make it harder to squeeze the affordable homes into the remaining development. I am concerned and I have a strong belief that there will be no social housing on this site because of the huge cost. When neighbouring sites are producing two bedroom apartments and looking for €1.1 million for them, it will be very difficult to ensure this social housing goes on that site. From a time when there were 900 homes promised, that is looking like it will all unravel and there may be a fraction of that on the Irish Glass Bottle site. Obviously, the residents in Pearse Street, Ringsend, Sandymount and Irishtown are devastated because they seem to have to continually pick up the tab for the Government's failure on housing. I ask that the Minister for housing come to the House and discuss that particular issue.

I extend my sympathies to An Garda Síochána on the loss of Garda Kevin Flatley. I understand he was a garda in Pearse Street, a station I know well, and I know gardaí have huge respect within the local community. I acknowledge the loss to his family and friends.