Land at fair price ‘must be made available’

THE Government must change the law to make land available at a fair price for houses and transport infrastructure, a conference was told yesterday.

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) also attacked land speculators and builders for putting the ideal of owning a home beyond the reach of many people on reasonable incomes.

ICTU president Joe O’Toole claimed less than two dozen people owned, or had options on, all potential development land for the foreseeable future. “They will release it in dribs and drabs at exorbitant prices to builders who will add their exorbitant profits on top, thus ensuring that young people are squeezed to the last in attempting to purchase housing,” he told the opening session of the four-day ICTU conference, in Tralee, Co Kerry.