Councils facing 'serious measures' over housing inaction, says minister

"I think this is the biggest test of local democracy in decades," said housing minister James Browne, as he criticised local councils for not zoning more land for housing.

Housing minister James Browne said that 'the fundamental purpose of local authorities is that they are housing authorities'. Picture: Leah Farrell/RollingNews

The Government is examining "serious measures" to address councils which do not zone sufficient land for housing.

Housing minister James Browne said that just Mayo and Waterford councils had completed the process of rezoning lands for housing, calling it "an existential test" for local democracy.