"average Dublin house prices should fall to ‘the €300,000 mark" according to Many Lou McD.

But what if workers don't want to work in this dysfunctional private market.

And is the private sector necessarily that much more efficient? I've mostly worked recently in larger 'enterprise' size tech firms and I can tell you the wastage is massive.

I see huge projects cancelled at a whim, systems created and not used, workers spending hours in a never-ending cycle of meetings, and so-on. I can't directly compare with the public sector, but it certainly ain't efficient.

I think people have an idealized image of the private sector where a tough boss comes and fires you if you're not pulling your weight. In the corporate world that just doesn't happen that I've seen.

And as regards construction a lot of people have mentioned here that the state would have higher costs on hiring workers directly through pension etc. I think what's missed is that most work in Irish construction is currently done through subcontracts, adding another profit and admin layer that the state wouldn't have to face.

Like I think I said earlier, I'm not against direct employment by councils or by a house building entity. There are advantages and disadvantages whatever road you go down. The main argument I was trying to make against some of the other posters was that no matter which way you do it, you are going to have some impact on building for private sale since you are going to be diverting resources away from that.

That doesn't mean it should not be done, of course, but it means (and I think you made this point too) that you have to increase overall capacity. I would also argue that it is this increasing of overall capacity that has the most benefit to peoples lives. It brings down costs for everyone both public and private.

What different pool is this of which you speak? There's also land, planning, building materials and other resources.

I'm also making that point that taking people way from other building projects will increase costs for those from whom the workers have been taken. This is true if you are going to have any sort of government public housing programme.

That is why working to increase overall capacity (getting more people into construction, removing bottlenecks etc.) is so important. I would argue that it is the main thing the government should be doing.

They can do either.

Directly or indirectly fund and resource the projects.

But set the targets, do the planning and make the investment.

Dont do notjing at all & just steal homes from private developers and Joe tax payer at the last minute, once private developers complete their projects.

The councils are like Hyenas.

Waiting for someone else to do the work and then pulling the homes from under the noses of the working electorate.

"Poll: Public backs Mary Lou McDonald’s call for €300,000 average house price in Dublin

Three in five want house prices to fall even if their home drops in value"

You'd be completely wrong so. The majority of people in Ireland want house prices to fall, significantly. Even including a lot of home owners - who can see the damage the high home prices are doing to the state, even if they're in theory personally going to benefit from it.

That's a pile of wishful thinking nonsense, i wonder how many of those polled who want to see a fall are actually selling their house and would take the lowest offer in order to reduce prices?

Answer; None.

If you're unable to put the good of others ahead of your own thats unfortunate, but its rather telling to blame the polls rather than admitting you're just in a selfish minority.

SF, who's stated goal is this thread topic, are going to be by far the biggest political party in the state after the next election. So plenty of Irish homeowners will apparently vote selflessly too.

It's well known that people when polled face to face are more likely to answer in the positive for fear of being judged by their questioner.

As for your statement, i'd be careful what i'd wish for. Some people vote for the opposition for no other reason than to stick it to the man, i'd be of the opinion that a lot of those were horrified at how close SF came to power and will think again.

Time will tell but i think their time has passed.