The Government and Fianna Fail have been called to urgently address the housing crisis in Ireland.

Labour spokesperson on housing Jan O'sullivan made the call and said the State must now take an active role in the development of affordable housing.

Deputy O'Sullivan said: "As far back as Summer 2016, I proposed broadening NAMA's remit to provide social and affordable housing, and rebrand the agency as the National Housing Development and Finance Agency.

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"The State needs to pick up the slack from where private developers have failed. There are simply not enough homes being built.

"Under Labour's proposal, the focus of NAMA would become one of addressing the serious shortage in supply of residential accommodation for sale or for rent at affordable prices. It would also give NAMA the power to give financial assistance to local authorities and approved housing bodies for the construction of social housing.

"While I am glad to see Fianna Fáil also coming around to this point of view, it is disappointing that it has taken them so long.

"The repurposing of NAMA has the potential to be transformational, but unfortunately the Government are intent on turning it into a private finance initiative."

(CD/LM)