A statement by the Labour Party said: "While the proposal presents a high quality attractive development, it sees us trade half of the total housing units (428) for the building of community amenities and infrastructure. This does not sufficiently maximise the long-term public housing benefit this large site could provide. Of additional concern is that the proposal does not give a guarantee that none of the units will end up in the hands of profit driven investors.
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"Since the tendering process for the development of these lands was first initiated in January 2017 our housing landscape has significantly worsened. We have failed to meaningfully bring down the number of those on our social housing waiting lists and the homelessness numbers continue to remain stubbornly high.
"For renters, the average rent in Dublin in Q1 2017 was €1,677 (Daft.ie) and it now stands at €2,039 (Qs Report Daft.ie)—an increase of 22%. We must respond to these changes and this requires a shift in how we develop our finite public land.
"The Oscar Traynor development has the potential to provide social and affordable housing for those struggling to keep a secure, long term, affordable roof over their heads and we believe this is not best served by trading half of the site for private development."
