Concerns have been raised at the lack of action taken to develop new homes at a greenfield site at Dunsink Land in Fingal.

Sinn Féin TD Dessie Ellis said he was frustrated with Fingal County Council and the Minister of State for Housing Damien English.

He said: "In the midst of this housing crisis, I raised in the Dáil the exceptional potential of a large greenfield site at Dunsink Lane. Speaking directly to the Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, I alerted him to the real potential of utilising these council lands for the construction of badly needed social and affordable houses which will help to alleviate the current housing crisis.

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"These lands consist of approximately 1,000 acres around Dunsink Lane. 300 acres is owned by Fingal County Council, 200 acres is part of the old tip head and 150 acres takes in Dunsink Observatory and surrounding lands. The rest is privately owned.

"We have the potential to build depending on density between 4,500 and 12,000 social and affordable housing units on this virtually greenfield site. The lands are ideally located being only 4kmn from the city centre, close to the M50 and local amenities such as the Royal canal, the Phoenix Park, and Blanchardstown shopping centre.

"I am concerned that, according to the Minister, Fingal council will be doing additional studies on the areas potential and requirements for development."

(CD/LM)