Taoiseach distances himself from Tánaiste's promise to build 40,000 houses a year

Leo Varadkar had made the sweeping commitment during the Fine Gael ard fheis, but Micheál Martin was less enthusiastic in the Dáil

Taoiseach Micheál Martin, right, claims he did not hear Leo Varadkar's speech at the Fine Gael ard fheis. File Picture: Julien Behal

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has distanced himself from sweeping promises made by Tánaiste Leo Varadkar about ramping up house-building in Ireland.

Mr Varadkar, addressing the Fine Gael ard fheis last weekend, promised to build 40,000 houses a year, surpassing the Government's target of 33,000.