‘No legal block’ to land price control

THERE is no constitutional obstacle to controlling the price of land for housing, an Oireachtas committee will reveal later this month.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern will be told he should impose high taxes or development levies on land hoarders who make vast profits from ezoning decisions.

Mr Ahern will also be told local authorities should be given the power to acquire land from speculators for much less than its market value by paying just 25% of agricultural prices even if the property is zoned for residential use.