Republic of Ireland housing: Raise the Roof protest takes place outside Dáil
A major protest is taking place outside the Dáil (lower house of the Irish parliament) over the Republic of Ireland's growing housing crisis.The Raise the Roof protest has been coordinated by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions which has described the crisis as "the greatest political failure of our time".The rally on Tuesday evening coincides with a Dáil debate on the issue."Workers are being priced out of homes or can only rent or purchase with considerable financial burden," said Ethel Buckley, SIPTU deputy general secretary.
"Alongside the human cost of this, we are seeing the serious knock-on effects, with thousands of unfilled vacancies in key sectors, and young people once again choosing to emigrate."What is needed now is a radical reset with sustained action to deliver secure, affordable housing."
Renting
The growing housing crisis across the country has left the government walking a tightrope between the interests of tenants, landlords and developers.The number of people who are now living in rented accommodation goes to the heart of the current crisis.Renting is the only option for many people, especially young people, who cannot afford to buy their own home because of the cost of domestic properties.Rental rates now average more than €2,000 (£1,700) a month nationally, according to a recent report by the property website Daft.ie, and are higher in Dublin.The government has been trying to introduce measures aimed at restricting rent price increases while also encouraging developers and investors to come into the building market.Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) Micheál Martin says the government wants to introduce proposals which will "dramatically increase the supply of housing and apartments to the country, to get from 30,000 to 50,000 per annum for a sustained period of time".But, the opposition, led by Sinn Féin, has consistently accused the government of failing to take the correct action to address the crisis.
Damien moved to Dublin a few years ago from Tyrone and was at today's protest. The 27-year-old said he has, "no hope of ever owning a home of my own in Dublin". "I am paying the majority of my salary every month on rent, it leaves me with a thousand euros". "It leaves it really hard to get by", he added.
Liam is 22-years-old and has just finished college, he still lives at home with his Mum.While studying he commuted daily from the Trim, "it was a draining journey to college every day, the commute was two to three hours every day", he added.He said he knows people who dropped out of his course because "it was so draining". He made the choice to commute because of the "mad money" required to rent in Dublin.
Ahead of Tuesday's protest outside the Dáil, the opposition characterised the situation as "an emergency".Sinn Féin's spokesperson on Housing, Eoin Ó Broin TD, says opposition parties have joined together to introduce a motion in the Dáil "to tell the government very clearly that we need an emergency response to the housing emergency they have created"."It means taking action to protect renters - not what we have seen from the government in terms of the hollowing-out of rent pressure zones, but actually banning rent increases for all renters as well as supports to reduce the cost of rent," he said.Rent Pressure Zones (RPZ) are designated areas of the country where rent increases are capped to protect the interests of tenants.The Dáil motion on the issue has been drawn up by the combined opposition of Sinn Féin, the Social Democrats, Labour, People Before Profit, the Green Party and members of the progressive independents technical group.As well as trade unions, the Raise the Roof campaign is also backed by housing and homeless agencies, women's groups, political parties, representatives of older people, Traveller groups, children's advocacy groups, community organisations and student unions.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Telegraph
2 hours ago
- Telegraph
Farage hits back at former Irish leader's claim he would destroy the UK
Nigel Farage has dismissed claims by Leo Varadkar that he would destroy the UK if he becomes prime minister. The former Irish taoiseach predicted that the push for a united Ireland would take 'centre stage' if the Reform UK leader was to win a future general election. Mr Varadkar told BBC Northern Ireland that a Farage government would 'double down on Brexit', which would bolster Irish unity and Scottish independence. He said it was possible that England's 'volatile politics' could mean Mr Farage would become prime minister after elections in either four or nine years. Mr Farage hit back at the claims by Mr Varadkar, who was Ireland's prime minister during the Brexit negotiations, during which time he became a bogeyman for Brexiteers and unionists. 'I have heard all of this before,' said Mr Farage. 'They said that a vote for Brexit would end the Union. It didn't and nor will the Reform government.' Labour views Reform as its main rival in a future UK parliamentary election, which must take place by 2029, after the latter took hundreds of seats in local elections this year. Last week, a poll said that Mr Farage could win an outright majority and become prime minister if an election was held tomorrow. Mr Varadkar praised Sir Keir Starmer for his reset in relations with Dublin and Brussels since becoming Prime Minister. The former Fine Gael leader played a key role in agreeing the withdrawal agreement, which created the Irish Sea border between Britain and Northern Ireland 'Prime Minister Starmer might be re-elected for a second term. It's equally possible, not probable but possible, that Nigel Farage could be prime minister of the UK in four years' time, or in nine years' time,' he said. He added that Mr Farage and his supporters believed that Brexit 'had not been done properly' and would roll back the reset. 'What you'd see is an attempt to rescind many of the things that Prime Minister Starmer and his Government have done [and this would] bring the United Kingdom even further away from the European Union,' Mr Varadkar said. He added he hoped Mr Farage would not become prime minister but said it 'would change the picture in terms of attitudes towards independence in Scotland'. 'I think it would change the views of some people in the middle ground in Northern Ireland [towards Irish unity],' he added. 'It isn't just because a Right-wing nationalist government in London would want to bring the UK and Northern Ireland away from Europe. It is other things as well,' said Mr Varadkar. He added that Reform-run councils in England were 'preventing people from flying Pride or progress flags'. 'I don't think most people in Northern Ireland would like that,' he told the BBC. The Belfast or Good Friday Agreement states that the secretary of state for Northern Ireland must call a referendum if it 'appears likely' a majority wants a united Ireland. A border poll must also be held in the Republic. While polls show large support for reunification, they also consistently show a majority in favour of remaining part of the UK in Northern Ireland. Mr Varadkar has become an outspoken advocate for Irish unity since he resigned as taoiseach last year because of his low popularity ratings. His successor Simon Harris and coalition partner Micheál Martin, the leader of Fianna Fail, went on to overturn a commanding Sinn Fein lead in the polls to stay in power after elections last year.
BreakingNews.ie
4 hours ago
- BreakingNews.ie
JP McManus to set record straight over costs that led to International Rugby Experience dispute
Limerick horse racing mogul and philanthropist, JP McManus, is to address the Mayor of Limerick and elected representatives at a closed door meeting at Limerick City and County Council headquarters over why the Council snubbed a 'gift' from him of a €30 million premier building and €1.2 million in funding last year. McManus is understood to be deeply hurt by the joint local authority's controversial decision to decline his offer of the International Rugby Experience (IRE) building, O'Connell Street, Limerick City, as well as funding for operating costs, and he will aim to set the record straight over costs associated with the not for profit charitable venture. Advertisement A difference of opinion between the Council and Mr McManus around the costs of operating the IRE led to the deal falling flat. The red-brick vaulted ceiling monolith, built to honour the global oval ball game, which was red-carpet launched by a host of rugby stars in 2023, has been gathering dust since its shock closure last December. 50 people were employed at the IRE which delivered an estimated €7.8 million boost to the local economy and 60,000 visitors in the 12 months it was open. Mr McManus who secured the 2027 Ryder Cup for Limerick at his five-star Adare Manor Hotel, is to address the Mayor of Limerick, John Moran, senior executives and elected representatives, at an in-camera briefing at Council Headquarters, Dooradoyle, next Thursday. Advertisement Limerick Fianna Fáil TD Willie O'Dea who has been critical of the Council's decision to decline Mr McManus's 'generous offer', said: 'The gift horse is still there and the Council is still looking at it in the mouth.' 'My view is that it is a fantastic facility for Limerick and certain commitments were made by the Council and it seems to me they weren't honoured, it's a tragedy to see it closed down now. 'In fairness to JP, he has put his money where his mouth is, he invested in it and developed it to a magnificent standard, and in my opinion, there is an onus on the council to utilise it in the interests of the people not just locally, but nationally,' added Deputy O'Dea. Local Labour councillor, Joe Leddin, argued, that while he accepted the Council executive, led by Mayor Moran, had bona fide concerns about the cost of running the IRE into the future, the planned meeting with Mr McManus Ono Thursday was a 'welcome' development. Advertisement 'To be fair to JP, he expended €30 million+ on the acquisition of the old building, the design and rebuild and operations, and its unfortunate now to see the facility closed in the heart of the city. 'I along with most, if not all, councillors would like to see the building used for something, but we have to be cognisant that councillors are in charge of public monies and therein lies the challenge,' said Cllr Leddin. Last May, the IRE said that Mr McManus's 'entirely debt free, gift' to the Council to run the IRE until 2028 and then, if it wished, to use the building 'for any civic purpose' thereafter, had been agreed with the local authority when Heads of Terms were signed by both parties in March 2024. The IRE explained it was 'unable to advance' the proposed deal with the Council, leading to the IRE's closure. Advertisement The IRE stated it's thanks to Irish rugby legends Paul O'Connell and Keith Wood for their 'fantastic assistance' in getting the not for profit charitable venture off the ground. In response, Limerick City Council said it was 'disappointed' with the IRE's decision to close its doors, and it argued that it had made 'very effort' to secure the deal. The Council added that it was 'unable to secure a viable path forward' after finding it would have had to find 'substantial operational and capital funding' to continue the project. A counter offer from Mayor Moran to use €300,000 of his Mayoral Fund to help keep the facility open for the next three years, was rejected by the IRE. IRE chief executive Barry Hannon claimed that figures presented to councillors were 'over-inflated and were not included in the heads of agreement' which both parties had agreed in in principal in August 2023. It's understood Mr McManus will address councillors about his disappointment at how the deal has turned sour, and will advise councillors about what he believes is the cost of running the building going forward.
The Independent
6 hours ago
- The Independent
Deputy FM accuses Leo Varadkar of reinventing himself after Irish unity comments
Northern Ireland's deputy First Minister has accused former taoiseach Leo Varadkar of 'reinventing himself' over comments he made about Irish unity. Emma Little-Pengelly took a swipe at the former Fine Gael leader after he said that Irish unity would become 'centre stage' if Reform leader Nigel Farage was elected UK prime minister. Mr Varadkar said if Mr Farage became prime minister, it would 'change the pictures in terms of attitudes towards independence in Scotland', and change the views of some people in the middle ground in Northern Ireland. Mr Varadkar said he believes planning for a united Ireland should be happening, but that a date should not be fixed as the numbers to win a vote are not in place. He added: 'I don't think a united Ireland is inevitable, I think it's something that we have to work towards. 'But I think there are a lot of factors that would suggest that we're on that trajectory. 'Demographic factors, polling, even the most recent numbers showing that a very clear majority of younger people in Northern Ireland want there to be a new united Ireland.' However, speaking in Armagh at the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) on Friday, Ms Little-Pengelly said that Mr Varadkar is 'entitled to reinvent himself in whatever way that he so chooses'. 'But he is wrong in terms of the trajectory, I think, when you look at people in Northern Ireland voting for nationalist parties, that hasn't moved since 1998, still in and around the 40%, that hasn't increased,' she said. 'And while there's more complexity in terms of the voting beyond that, everyone else is either voting for a proactively Unionist party or parties who explicitly say that they do not want to be focused or agitate for constitutional change. 'There hasn't been any significant shift in that. There's nothing, in my view, to say that the trajectory is such that this inevitability. I don't accept that it is an inevitability, but for my part, I do believe that the focus should be on around uniting the people of Northern Ireland together. 'That very much a focus on reconciliation, but a focus on actually serving their needs. 'While others are preoccupied by these big constitutional debates, for me, it should be about getting on and actually delivering the education system our people want. 'The tackling those big health waiting lists, tackling those big issues that face us here in Northern Ireland, because that's what's impacting on people's lives, day in and day out.' Taosieach Micheal Martin said his focus is on the 'reconciliation' between all traditions on the island, as well as the United Kingdom and Ireland's relationship. 'I'm very much focused on the hard ground, building relationships. I think what we're doing today is part of that agenda,' he said. 'I'm not going to anticipate what's going to happen in the British election in two or three years time. 'I've often said to Leo, don't always be obsessed with the opinion polls, because they give a different result. 'My own experience bears that out. Point is, I don't know what is going to happen in the British election.' He added: 'Our agenda has to be to try and use the this moment to advance issues of common interest and to get things done. 'We have witnessed a significant change in the relationship between the United Kingdom government and the Irish Government on a number of fronts.' Tanaiste Simon Harris said that every taoiseach aspires to see 'our country united'. He added: 'But we do have a huge amount of work to do, and I share the Taoiseach's view in relation to that body of work. 'At the moment, I think relations between the British and Irish governments are at the best they have been in a very long time. 'We have good and honourable interlocutors in London working with, I hope, what they find to be good and honourable interlocutors in Dublin and in Belfast. 'So whilst I certainly don't think Leo's comments are wrong, I think that's where the focus of the Irish Government is at in the here and now.' Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill said the 'prudent' thing to do is to plan for what is 'potentially' happening in years to come. She said it is possible to 'chew gum and walk at the same time'. 'I think we can have good relationships, build good relationships. That's always going to be a good thing,' the Sinn Fein MLA said. 'I think we can cooperate on our own mutual interest that we're talking about today here at the North South Ministerial Council. 'Equally, I think we have to plan for constitutional change and set out the argument so people can make mature, rational decisions about what world they see themselves. 'We all have a stake in the future, so let's now plan for it.'
