Motion opposing Land Development Agency Bill is passed by South Dublin County Council

South Dublin councillors have blasted the Government’s Land Development Agency (LDA) Bill saying it will “undermine local democracy”.

At a special meeting of SDCC yesterday, members agreed to call on the Government to stop the progress of the LDA Bill which is currently going through the Dail.

The Bill includes several clauses which would divest councillors of their veto on land transfers relating to the new agency as well as decision making in relation to housing development on public land.

An emergency motion proposed by Social Democrats Councillor Carly Bailey was passed at the meeting.

Speaking after her motion was passed, Cllr Bailey said:

“I wish to thank my colleagues for their support on this important motion.

“The Social Democrats do not support provisions of the Government’s housing agenda that could see for profit, private housing built on public land or see an equity share model to deliver unaffordable housing.

“We are also concerned at plans to bypass the votes of councillors on the sale of land to the LDA which would significantly undermine local democracy.

“The passing of my motion sends a clear message to the Minister for Housing that there are serious concerns about his Bill from across the political spectrum.

“Disposal of public land is one of the last remaining important reserved functions of councillors and cannot be allowed to stand.

“I sincerely hope the Minister will engage with us on this issue as requested in the motion.”

Also commenting following the passing of the motion, People Before Profit Councillor Madeleine Johansson said:

“I called for a special meeting to be held in order to allow for councillors to discuss this legislation which could have serious implications for local residents as well as councillors.

“The Land Development Agency could potentially be given the power to take sites in council ownership and develop them for housing by selling them to private developers.

“The agency would also be in charge of the planning process which would remove the public consultation element which is part of the Part 8 process.

“This is another attempt to take public land and sell it to private developers.

“Instead public land should be developed directly by the councils, funded by central government, for public housing.

“The so called ‘affordable’ housing contained in the legislation is defined as anything below the median market price, and will not be affordable for most ordinary people.

“Councillors in South Dublin have made a strong statement to the government that they have serious concerns in relation to the Land Development Agency Bill and are calling for the Minister to halt the process immediately.”

Mayor of South Dublin, Fianna Fáil’s Ed O’Brien, said he shared some of the member’s concerns in relation to the removal of section 183 powers.

However, he said Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien has been clear that councils would only be bypassed in “limited circumstances”, where agreement on lands is not possible.

He said South Dublin County Council has had an “imperious record” in delivering housing projects, with the “vast majority” of housing projects passed by councillors.