Michael Clifford: Has the State the tools needed to build houses?

Retreating from direct state-building of houses, as happened over the last 30 years, was the easy bit. Returning to it will be far more difficult

On Monday, councillors in Dublin City rejected a plan to develop private houses on public land. This may well signal that greater emphasis is to be put on public housing, and less on following the vagaries of the market. Picture Larry Cummins

A small wind of change blew through the housing sector this week. On Monday, councillors in Dublin City rejected a plan to develop private houses on public land. This may well signal that greater emphasis is to be put on public housing, and less on following the vagaries of the market.

The councillors voted overwhelmingly against going ahead with a plan to build 853 homes on Oscar Traynor Road in Santry on the northside of the city, near the entrance to the Port Tunnel.