Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 107: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the action that has been taken or that he plans to take following the report of the All-Party Committee on the Constitution on the cost of building land; the measures that have been implemented arising from this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3891/05]

Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 176: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on the recent report of the NESC on housing and building land and the results of the research he has commissioned from a company (details supplied) into the ownership and control of building land in certain development areas, particularly Dublin, to determine whether current practices are retarding the overall delivery of building land or impeding long-term market stability; the action he intends to take arising from these reports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3892/05]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos.107 and 176 together.

The Government has received the findings of the ninth progress report of the All-Party Oireachtas Committee on the Constitution — Property Rights; report No. 112 of the National Economic and Social Council, NESC, "Housing in Ireland: Performance and Policy"; and the report by Goodbody Economic Consultants.

The Government is committed to increasing the supply of housing to meet the broad range of housing needs. In this context, my Department is concerned to ensure that policies such as land use planning operate to support this objective.

The Goodbody report, which is available in the Oireachtas Library, is an economic proofing of a possible scheme aimed at accelerating the supply of land for affordable housing development. This proofing was carried out by reference to the position in three housing authorities, two urban and one rural. The analysis included a profile of development land available for housing in the areas concerned, the identification of any factors impeding its supply to the market, including the possible hoarding of land, and an evaluation of the market and other impacts of the proposal. This report has also informed my Department's consideration of the All-Party Oireachtas Committee on the Constitution report on property rights.

The NESC report, which was published in December 2004, is a comprehensive study, designed to contribute to the overall understanding of the factors underpinning the development of the housing sector in Ireland and outlines the important challenges for the future.

The Government is giving careful consideration to all these reports within the context of its continuing commitment to meeting the broad range of housing needs. I intend to bring proposals to Government in response to these reports as soon as possible.