pjodriscoll.ie
This year, P.J. O’Driscoll & Sons LLP hosted a ‘Housing Affordability and Supply – Delivering Solutions’ Conference on Thursday the 20th of September at Fota Island Resort, Cork. Moderated by journalist and broadcaster, Matt Cooper, the conference was organised to debate the thorny issue of tackling the housing crisis. The conference was attended by over 200 guests.
High profile speakers at the conference included:
Michael O’Flynn, CEO and Chairman of the O’Flynn Group;
Declan Dunne, CEO of Respond, the housing agency;
Michael Lynch, Director of Services, Cork County Council;
Pat O’Sullivan, Head of Real Estate, AIB Dublin;
Jim Keogan, Director with McCutcheon Halley Planning Consultancy (formerly Asst. CEO, Dublin City Council);
Mairi Henderson, Associate Director, McCutcheon Halley Planning Consultancy; and
Elaine O’Driscoll, Managing Partner, P.J. O’Driscoll & Sons LLP
Speaking at the event, Michael O’Flynn, CEO and Chairman of O’Flynn Group, said: “Land is too expensive and getting land to the market at affordable prices is a problem. The big issue around housing is supply and we need to focus on how to resolve supply. The basic problem is that we do not have viable developments at affordable prices.”
Mr. O’Flynn welcomed the Land Development Agency (LDA) objectives, however he had some serious concerns around the implementation plans and whether they would provide the solutions required over the next 5 years.
It was clear from the debate that the housing crisis calls for the policymakers at local and national level to look to new laws to engineer powerful solutions. It is anticipated that the legislation establishing the Land Development Agency will give it powers to issue compulsory purchase orders for privately-owned land. These solutions may involve interfering with individual rights in the common good. If that is to happen, it must be done with fairness and transparency.
On the issue of affordable housing, Declan Dunne, CEO of the housing agency, commented that “The new Affordable Housing Scheme needs to be financially sustainable and replicable around the country. There can be no subsidised housing without a subsidy.”
P.J. O’Driscoll & Sons LLP, is one of the leading law firms in the country in the area of construction and development. The firm has gained its expertise through its long established involvement with the construction industry at every level. Our firm believed that the timing was right to hold this conference here in Cork as housing affordability and supply is now a priority concern at every level in our society.
We would like to thank our speakers and guests for attending this conference to discuss the current and vitally important issues we face today in the housing market. It goes without saying that one message came through on loud and clear - The time for talking is over.
Feedback from some of our attendees:
“An excellent, diverse set of speakers and it was great to hear input from different perspectives. Thought stimulating - to say the least.”
“Engaging and informative, and a job well done.”
“An illuminating conference last week, which I found extremely helpful.”
Photos from the Conference
(L-R) Pat O’Sullivan, Head of Real Estate, AIB Dublin, Joan Kiely, Partner at P.J O’Driscoll & Sons LLP, Michael O’Flynn, CEO and Chairman of O’Flynn Group, Elaine O’Driscoll, Managing Partner at P.J. O’Driscoll & Sons LLP and Declan Dunne, CEO of Respond, the housing agency.
Matt Cooper speaking at “Housing Affordability and Supply – Delivering Solutions” conference
(L-R) Matt Cooper, Michael O’Flynn, Elaine O’Driscoll, Pat O’Sullivan, Michael Lynch, Jim Keogan, Declan Dunne and Mairi Henderson.
