Dublin city councillors say they need more time to respond to the High Court ruling that they wrongly banned housing development on religious orders' land.
A majority of councillors, mainly from the Labour Party, voted to impose a Z15 zoning on institutional lands that only allows educational and recreational uses or social housing development.
However this zoning was successfully challenged by the Sisters of Mercy who own 108 acres in 18 different parcels across the city.
The zoning also affects RTÉ's plans to develop the Montrose campus and a total of over 1,700 acres of land in the city area.
Over 75% of institutional lands in private ownership are held by religious orders.
The councillors met for over three hours in a closed session but have adjourned a decision on their response until another meeting on 11 June.
It is understood that councillors have been told the options are to allow a zoning for housing, retain the zoning but provide reasons or appeal the court judgment.
