Referendum may be needed to deal with house prices - Deputy Govnt Chief Whip

"Clearly it is now time for a radical rethink on the housing situation. I believe that the State should consider purchasing land specifically for future housing developments and to stop speculators lining their pockets by forcing young people into debt." "I am aware that such a move may require a constitutional referendum, but with the cost of the average home in Dublin set to hit well over 260,000 Euro perhaps this is what is needed".

"The time has now come to be pro-active in the whole area of housing if we are to ensure that all our people have a roof over their head. The issue must move to the top of the Government agenda". "While Labour and industrial costs have risen in recent years the main inflationary pressure in the house price is the excessive value of land. I believe independent experts in the sector and legal experts should consider how we as a country can move forward and deal with this issue".
11/12/2002