Tag Archives: Affordable Housing Bill 2021

Taoiseach Micheál Martin at Dublin Castle this morning

This afternoon.

The Dail at the Convention Centre.

Social Democrats co-leader Rosin Shortall said:

“Back in May, the Taoiseach said he didn’t agree with local authorities entering long-term leasing deals. He said, “no local authority should be on the other side of this, engaging in a long-lease with these institutional investors”.

“Later that month, the Taoiseach was clear that “long-term leasing is bad value” and said “that is my view and I continue to make that clear”.

“Despite this, Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien has quietly submitted an amendment to a Finance Bill, which comes before the Dáil tomorrow. The amendment will actually incentivise cuckoo funds to swoop in, purchase homes from underneath the noses of first time buyers and then lease them back to the State.

“The measures introduced by the Government, to limit the activity of cuckoo funds in the residential property market, were the bare minimum required. It didn’t even bother to include apartments, preferring to let cuckoo funds feast on them.

“Now we learn that even the bare minimum has been diluted. That the promises made to the people, to do something about the activity of these funds, are worthless.

“When I raised this issue in the Dáil today, the Taoiseach refused to withdraw the amendment. In fact, he barely acknowledged it – preferring to obfuscate and dodge any questions.

“Fundamentally, this government cannot be trusted. Instead of helping young people trying to buy a home, it prefers to help the vultures seeking to profiteer on their misery.”

Yesterday: Under Two Minutes Afforded To Debate Each Amendment

RollingNews

From top: Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O’Brien Contents of the Affordable Housing Bill 2021

This morning.

The Affordable Housing Bill 2021 journeys through the Dáil this week.

But why is it “being rammed through the Dáil at breakneck speed”?

Asks Social Democrats Housing Spokesman Cian O’Callaghan, who writes:

“The Government want us to debate, consider and vote on over 100 amendments to the 45-page Bill in just three hours. That is less than two minutes per amendment. This is not feasible. Many of these proposals and changes, including those tabled by the Green Party, will end up in the bin. This is no way to do business.

“Very serious warnings about aspects of this Bill have been issued by the Central Bank, the ERSI and senior officials in a number of Government Departments. Unfortunately, the Minister is ignoring all of them. Instead, he has chosen to remain on the side of the big builders, and construction sector interests, who have lobbied for a Shared Equity Scheme that will keep house prices high.

“If the Minister believed in his plan, he would allow this Bill to be examined and debated. It is clear that he doesn’t. This Bill requires a full and comprehensive debate.

“The people struggling to secure an affordable home deserve better than this half-baked Bill.”

Anyone?

Affordable Housing Bill 2021

Eamonn Farrell/RollingNews