Significant problems exist with Land Development Agency

Speaking ahead of the Dáil debate this evening on the Land Development Agency Bill 2021 Sinn Féin Housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin TD has stated that, “significant problems still remain with the Fianna Fáil version of the Bill and Sinn Féin cannot support the legislation as it stands.”

This is why he has launched LDAWatch, a transparency initiative to track all aspects of the LDA.

Teachta Ó Broin said:

“The Land Development Agency (LDA) Bill 2021 contains most of the same fundamental flaws as the Fine Gael version of the Bill published in a draft form in 2019. 

“Key concerns with the current Bill include; weak land management functions and controversial planning powers, a lack of a meaningful definition of affordability and no scrutiny under the FOI and Lobby Acts.

“The Bill also removes power from elected councillors in terms of land transfers to the LDA; and the LDA will have to pay full market value for the land it does acquire.

“These flaws mean that Sinn Féin cannot support the Bill as it currently stands, and we will be drafting substantial amendments to the legislation.

“The LDA will be responsible for huge tracts of land and large amounts of public money. The proposed lack of transparency around the agency is worrying.

“That is why I am launching a transparency initiative today called LDAWatch. This website will track the LDA, its projects and its funding. It will have information available on all aspects of the LDA’s work in order to keep the public informed.

“LDAWatch will also provide a space for people to share information not in the public domain that is in public interest. There is a real risk that the LDA has the potential to become a NAMA Mark II and proper scrutiny must be provided.”