Ó Ríordáin: European Parliament housing visit exposes Irish Government failure in tackling the housing crisis
Ó Ríordáin: European Parliament housing visit exposes Irish Government failure in tackling the housing crisis - The Labour Party
Dublin MEP Aodhán Ó Ríordáin will partake on the official delegation of the European Parliament’s Special Committee on the Housing Crisis to Dublin beginning today. The visit of a delegation of MEPs from across Europe will be led by his Socialist colleague and Committee Chair Irene Tinagli (S&D Italian). The delegation will partake in a series of site visits and host thematic discussions with experts on issues such as homelessness, unaffordable rents, vacancy and dereliction. The delegation will also meet with Housing Minister James Browne.
Speaking at the start of a two day visit from MEPs to Dublin, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin MEP said:
“The fact that this visit is taking place is testament to the failing of our government in response to the housing crisis. Let’s face it, the committee has chosen to come to Dublin not because we are a model of best-practice, but rather we are being studied as an example of how not to do things.
“Across Europe Dublin is seen as being at the coalface of the housing crisis in Europe. With more than 4,000 children in homelessness, the reality facing families in our capital is a scandal and a shame.
“On our initiative, the European Parliament’s housing committee will meet with Focus Ireland and other actors working on the frontline of homelessness. I want colleagues from across Europe to see the reality of a city where children are growing up in emergency accommodation and families are being pushed out of secure homes.
“As the lead negotiator for the Socialists and Democrats on the European housing report, I pushed for clear action to end the eviction of children into homelessness and to curb the proliferation of short-term rentals, from sites like Airbnb, because we cannot accept the absurd situation where families are living in hotels while tourists are living in homes.
“We also need real action on vacancy and dereliction, which are a scar on cities across Europe, but especially here in Dublin. Homes cannot be left empty or derelict for speculative purposes while families have nowhere to live. The Irish Government has failed to treat housing as the emergency it is, and this visit should put that failure in full view.”