Record output in low-cost housing

SENATOR John Paul Phelan’s claim (Irish Examiner letters, July 19) that the Taoiseach’s plans for the creation of low-cost housing are a betrayal of Irish people is both harmful and misleading.

The truth is 2004 was the 10th year of record output, with almost 30% of the country’s total housing stock provided since Fianna Fáil came into government in 1997.

Senator Phelan (FG) makes reference to the Harcourt Terrace Lane scheme which involved the State swapping its 0.4-acre site for social and affordable houses in west Dublin.