Paschal Donohoe said such tax reliefs harmed housing delivery in Ireland for many years.

The homes are being developed in a 12-acre section of Seven Mills called Cooper Square, which consists of 257 one-bed, 318 two-bed and 32 three-bed apartments.

Micheál Martin said more investment from the private sector is needed to reach the target of building 50,000 homes a year.

Several large-capacity generators are being provided by Poland and Denmark, following a request under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.

They said they are working restore access to homes in this area "as quickly as possible" and called it the most severe weather event ever recorded for Ireland's telecommunications network.

When you need to step back and look at the bigger picture, these pointers will keep your clutter in check, says Sam Wylie-Harris.

The official objective for housing policy is lower than number Government ministers predicted, as uncertainty remains over last months of the year.

Labour leader Ivana Bacik said that the housing crisis was holding back the country.