Difficulties involved in securing planning permission for houses were contributing to the decline of rural Ireland, Mr Martin Ferris (SF, Kerry North) claimed.
With a shortage of supply and an increase in demand, it was almost impossible for local people or working-class people in rural areas to compete in the market, he said.
He urged the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Mr Ó Cuív, to address the issue.
Mr Ó Cuív said priority to build houses in rural areas should be given to locals or to those who had moved to an area, lived in it and had a job there, and not to people who had second homes.
