The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, has announced a new Affordable Homes Partnership Agency aimed at fast-tracking the provision of cheaper housing.
The announcement was made by Mr Ahern at the annual conference of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions which is being held in Belfast.
The Taoiseach said the agency, which will be chaired by former SIPTU President Des Geraghty, would allow a more co-ordinated approach to meeting the target of 10,000 affordable homes agreed in the last national pay deal.
ICTU's General Secretary David Begg welcomed the development, describing it as a vindication of social partnership.
