TAOISEACH MICHEÁL MARTIN has lashed out at councils for not moving fast enough to zone land for housing. 

At the party’s think-in in Cork this morning, Martin was asked for his reaction to a report by the Business Post that revealed land earmarked for the construction of up to 3,000 new homes in Co Wicklow was de-zoned by the local council.

Responding Martin said he was “shocked” at report and hit out at chief executives “the length and breadth of the country who seem to be displaying a degree of inertia and lack of proactivity” on housing.

“I’m shocked. I don’t know what that’s about,” Martin said.

He added that the government “will intervene” as it is “not happy” with a number of chief executive officers of county councils.

In July, Housing Minister James Browne told all local authorities to update their housing targets and instructed councils to zone more lands for housing.

“We have a housing crisis in this country,” the Taoiseach said. 

He said the rezoning of land is not dependent on the available of infrastructure and services, telling reporters that that can come afterwards if necessary. 

“Many councils are dragging their feet on this,” Martin said. The Taoiseach said he had spoken to a number of council bosses already on the matter. 

“I have said if they are not going to do it, government are going to do it directly,” said the Taoiseach who added that he “cannot comprehend how councils are de-zoning land that is suitable for housing”. 

“We are running out of patience,” said the Taoiseach who told the media that he will be meeting with the housing minister and the chief executives of the local authorities to “drive this message home”. 

In an interview with The Journal during the summer, the Taoiseach said the move by Housing Minister James Browne to publish a list of the best and worst performing councils across the country in terms of housing was correct, stating “he’s identified some that are not performing”.

At the time, the Taoiseach said the rezoning of land for housing would be the real “test” for local authorities.