The targets for housing construction for the coming years have already been published, says Martin

The objectives for housing construction in the coming years are already public domain, Michel Martin emphasizes.

The Tanaiste commented on the prospect of the government setting new targets for the next five years ahead of the general election.

That is a move that Taoiseach and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris has been pushing for in recent weeks.

Amid suggestions that Fianna Fail are opposing the idea, party leader Martin was asked about the issue ahead of Wednesday’s cabinet meeting in Dublin.

“Well, we have already published ESRI (Economic and Social Research Institute) data regarding the potential housing targets for the coming years,” he told reporters.

“There are a whole range of scenarios identified by the ESRI and then you also have the National Planning Framework, which fits in with your housing objectives for the future.

“So I think those two go hand in hand, but I think the ballpark numbers are there, they’re published.

“Different political parties will have different ideas about goal setting, both in opposition and perhaps in government, but we will continue to work on these issues.”

The Tanaiste was also asked whether the fallout from recent revelations about the high cost of a cycle shed at Leinster House and a security hut at government buildings would hurt the coalition parties in the upcoming election.

He said the public wants to see value for money when it comes to state spending.

Politicians and citizens expressed their outrage after it was revealed that the warehouse on the grounds of Leinster House cost €336,000 to build, while the security building at government buildings cost €1.4 million.

“I’ve been on the doorstep the last few days, I think housing is the biggest issue, it seems to me,” Mr Martin said.

“That’s a constant and consistent problem across the board, and then the infrastructure, the need to improve public transportation. I think there is the cost of living, of housing and of health care, and obviously people want value for money, and people want to see expenditure allocated to the right projects, and also want to make sure that we get value for money receive money related to those projects.”

On the bike shed controversy, he added: “The cost of that was absolutely excessive and ridiculous and should not have happened – that is why we have the Comptroller and Auditor General. I think there should be a focus on value for money.”

Mr Martin said he did not think concerns about rising costs would lead to the abandonment of major planned infrastructure projects such as Dublin’s Metrolink. Adding “control” over spending was a good thing, but it could not lead to “paralysis” in terms of considering projects.