Housing policy run by developers, property speculators and banks - Crowe
Reacting to reports from the Bank of Ireland this morning that they are
revising upwards their predictions for house prices to €395,000 across the
state and €532,000 in Dublin, Sinn Féin's Seán Crowe said it showed that
'housing policy in this state is no longer in the hands of the government,
but is controlled by developers, property speculators and the banks.'
The Dublin South-West TD said: "It is clearer than ever that housing policy
in this state is no longer in the hands of the government, but is
controlled by developers, property speculators and the banks. Minister Noel
Ahern has completely abdicated his responsibilities as Minister for
Housing.
"The banks need to accept some responsibility for this increase, with the
100% mortgages being offered playing a central role in accelerating prices
upwards, but speculators buying up property as investments are depriving
young families of the opportunities to buy their homes. This is further
vindication of Sinn Féin's position of a restoration of the Capital Gains
Tax rate of 40% on second properties, increasing incrementally for
subsequent properties.
"The supply of housing also needs to be addressed, with the massive land
banks being hoarded across the state systematically broken up. Last week it
was revealed that only 35% of promised social housing units have been
delivered while developers buy their way out of their Part V commitments to
supply 20% social and affordable housing in new developments.
"This shows who is driving housing policy in Ireland. It is not driven by
need, nor the requirements of the almost 44,000 families on the housing
waiting list. It is driven by the interests of the inhabitants of the tent
at the Galwayraces this week." ENDS