Ballymun representative on Dublin City Council and Housing SPC member Noel Rock this evening spoke of his disappointment with Sinn Fein Councillors for delaying by three months a City Council proposal which would have sought expressions of interest to build social housing on five areas of empty council lands across the City.

The report which, due to Sinn Fein indecisiveness, has now been kicked back for 3 months, stated that the Council should seek expressions of interest “from parties to develop five empty landbanks at Malahide Road, Bunratty Road, Cherry Orchard, Oscar Traynor Road and in Ballyfermot”.

Speaking on the issue, Dublin City Councillor for Ballymun Noel Rock said: “This is a disappointing development, and highlights that Sinn Fein just aren’t willing to commit to decisions. As a member of the Housing SPC, this is a disappointing outcome to delay the decision and it all boils down to politics: they want to create political gain from the housing crisis rather than try to solve it. Dublin faces many facets of a housing crisis: rising rents, rising prices, too little social housing, a surge in homelessness. It’s too urgent for politics as usual, yet that’s exactly what we are getting”.

Councillor Rock, a member of the Housing SPC continued: “Sinn Fein said a lot about housing before the elections but now that they have the chance for change, they kick the can down the road. It’s shameful, counterproductive and is the kind of hypocrisy they consistently show on housing issues in Northern Ireland”.