Taoiseach’s callous indifference for the housing crisis goes global
Labour’s housing spokesperson Conor Sheehan said Taoiseach Micheál Martin must explain comments made regarding the Irish housing crisis in the White House today.
Deputy Sheehan said:
“We know that Donald Trump likes to make news and break records, and it is shameful that the Taoiseach did not own up to his role in the greatest crisis in Ireland – the housing crisis.
“Failed Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael housing policy has brought us to a shameful record of over 15,000 people living in homelessness, including 4,603 children. The Taoiseach’s reaction to Trump’s assessment of the housing crisis as a result of Ireland’s success is outrageous.
“It goes to show what those on the hard edge of the housing crisis are up against. A Taoiseach who laughs at the crisis of our times, a Minister who has disappeared and his assistant Minister proposing putting our young people in sheds, rather than focusing on delivering sustainable, long term housing solutions.
“Today’s comments are in the context of CSO figures outlining that planning permissions granted for apartments are down 39% last year, something that raises serious concerns for the long-term supply of homes.
“The trends in housing are all going in the wrong direction – delivery of homes is going down, while homelessness and demand for housing continues to soar. The Taoiseach’s response? Slap his knees and chuckle all the way from Washington. He will have serious questions to answer on his return.”