An emergency motion by Sinn Féin has been passed by Dublin City Council opposing the sale of CIE land at Point Village and Connolly Station.

Cllr Daithí Doolan, Chair of the Dublin City Council's housing committee, said it is "unacceptable" that a state body is selling off public land for private housing developments.

Cllr Doolan also said a fire sale of the land will deepen the housing crisis in Ireland.

He said: "Minister for Housing Simon Coveney promised Dublin City Council that funding will be made available to purchase land for housing. Now is an opportunity to make that promise a reality. The funding must be provided as soon as possible.

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"I was shocked to read reports that CIE were in the final stages of selling land at the Point Village and intend to sell more land at Connolly Station. Dublin City Council has spoken in a loud and united voice tonight. We want the Department of Housing to provide the promised funding to allow this council buy that land and to develop it in line with our housing strategy.

"The sale of public land for private development during a housing crisis is a travesty. It should not go ahead. Minister Coveney must step up the mark and work with Dublin City Council to provide housing for the 29,000 applicants on our housing lists and for the thousands of homeless families."

(CD/LM)