Latest news with #RaisetheRoof
RTÉ News
2 hours ago
- Politics
- RTÉ News
'Combined opposition' to continue for now, but for how long?
The sight of Opposition leaders gathering together on the plinth at Leinster House has become very familiar in recent weeks. The so-called "combined opposition" emerged as a force during the heat of the speaking rights row back in January when the Dáil failed to elect a Taoiseach. Since then, the group has pooled its weight and resources repeatedly to advance issues of mutual interest. In recent weeks, this has included joint motions on Israeli war bonds, the Raise the Roof protest and the support of disability campaigner Cara Darmody. At times, the collective approach has included leaders from Sinn Féin, the Labour Party, the Social Democrats, People Before Profit, Independent Ireland and the Green Party. But what is really going on behind the scenes? One party source said it all flowed from the speakers' rights controversy, but added that it is also an evolution of co-operation in the last Dáil. They said: "It will continue where there are issues of common concern. But each individual party will want to maintain its own identity. "It's quite easy to agree to be against Government at the moment, there will be more nuances and policy differences as the Government goes on." One Sinn Féin TD said he saw real potential for co-operation on the issues of housing and the Middle East and that the move was about "combining and maximising collective strength". And all agree that the overlap with Independent Ireland is limited and they are diametrically opposed on key policy areas. But it is also clear that for Sinn Féin, this is about demonstrating to voters that there is a viable alternative Government - one made up of parties on the left. One party source said this hurt its vote in the last general election. "This is about showing that there is a viable alternative government in the medium term," they said. They point to the presence of Opposition spokespeople on stage at the Raise the Roof protest this week. "The physical presence of us stood together on the platform, that is a powerful symbol for those who want to see more cooperation and a potential alternative," they added. "Looking to the next election, the question is what is the alternative government?" A Social Democrats source also contended that this is partly about offering a realisable option to voters who do not support the current Government. They said: "The dynamic in this Dáil is unique. This is the second Fianna Fáil-Fine Gael government plus independents. These are two parties in decline over time, with a largely older voter base. "Looking to the next election, the question is what is the alternative government? A lot of people say to us that it is good to see you working together and that there appears to be an alternative." But all are clear that individual parties will continue to maintain their own identities and forge unique policies. Some in Labour and the Social Democrats said the whole dynamic has been overstated. A Labour source points out that they have "serious" differences with Sinn Féin on migration, housing and some tax issues. And it is clear that some have concerns about being perceived as tied to Sinn Féin. The Social Democrats has also rebuffed a few suggestions of joint appearances amid concern that the device could be overused. Behind the scenes, there have also been moves to change up the order of speakers at events so that Sinn Féin is not the assumed first speaker. This has been part of a concerted move to ensure Mary Lou McDonald is not seen as the de facto leader. Another source in a smaller party queries Sinn Féin's assertion that it is the "leader of the Opposition", suggesting this is language imported from Westminster where one large opposition party dominates. "Certainly there should not be a situation where Sinn Féin thinks it can call the shots," they said. Some Labour members have also fed back to party leadership that they are not happy with the joint approach on issues. Another source suggested that Sinn Féin has it "totally wrong" if it thinks it can present a picture of an alternative government when there are "sharp differences" between the parties. In response, a Sinn Féin source acknowledged that smaller parties are always worried about being carved up by larger ones. Presidential election a looming test of cohesion A looming test of cohesion is the bid for the combined left to nominate a joint candidate for the presidency. Smaller parties see this as a crucial decision point for Sinn Féin as it has the numbers to select its own person if it wishes. Some Sinn Féin TDs have privately suggested the party should not run its own candidate as they believe the position is not winnable for one of its politicians But another source said that fielding a party person would present the opportunity to "frame the debate", particularly on its core issue of a united Ireland. Although they add that they are aware there would be "consequences" if the party did badly. And it is not all harmony. A Labour source said he has picked up some disquiet from individuals who could run as a civil society candidate but who do not wish to be jointly nominated by Sinn Féin. Overall, there are mixed views as to how long the combined opposition will last. One source said they could not predict what would happen in a year, but it would continue for now. Another contends that disharmony will be rife as it gets closer to election time. For now though, many of the Opposition parties feel it is a useful device to combine strengths and make a bigger impact.
Irish Examiner
8 hours ago
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Housing commencements fall to 10-year low for the month of May
Home building has hit another dismal low-point, with new data confirming that last month's housing commencement figures were worst seen in May for 10 years. Last month, housing commencements - the number of new residential projects that have officially begun construction - were less than half the number of May last year. With the exception of May 2020, when covid-19 shut the construction sector, the May 2025 figure is the worst since 2015, with just 1,024 homes getting underway. Department of Housing statistics show that, in the first five months of the year, just under 5,000 homes have been officially commenced in Ireland, set against an initial government target to deliver 41,000 homes. Minister for housing James Browne has said this target is now 'not realistic' and that 'we're coming off a much lower base from last year than was expected'. The latest figures come as thousands of people are set to participate in a Raise the Roof protest at the National Monument in Cork City on Saturday, with trade unions and opposition parties urging the public to turn out to highlight the impact of the housing crisis on society. A commencement is a formal notice a developer must lodge to notify that that construction or a significant alteration to a building is beginning. There is no penalty if the work is never undertaken. Although it had been seen as an indication of how many homes would be built in the short-to-medium term, doubts have been cast on the reliability of these statistics, given a flood of notices were lodged at times last year prior to the expiry of Government incentives. Nevertheless, the fall in commencements to levels not seen since before the pandemic is viewed as a negative indicator of housing supply. The Central Bank has forecast that just 32,500 new homes will be built this year. Separately, the Central Statistics Office (CSO) said on Friday that the volume of building in the residential sector fell 10.6% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same time last year. Sinn Féin's housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin said the drop in housing commencements 'isn't surprising news'. Minister for housing James Browne has said he is committed to enacting a 'step change' in the housing department and will clear 'the dead wood out of the way so that homes can get delivered'. Photo: Leah Farrell/© 'It's why the Central Bank have revised their estimates and appears the Government will miss their targets not just this year but in 2026 and 2027 as well," he said. 'There's still an ongoing delay in the approval of vital social and affordable housing projects, and I suspect this accounts for a significant proportion of the shortfall in commencements. There is far too much bureaucracy and red tape.' Minister Browne has said he is committed to enacting a 'step change' in the housing department and will clear 'the dead wood out of the way so that homes can get delivered'. A spokesperson for the Department of Housing said the dip in commencement notices in the early months of 2025 "is not unexpected given the extraordinary number lodged in the last two years in response to Government measures to accelerate supply, principally through the Development Levy Waiver and Water Connection Rebate – notices were lodged for almost 102,000 new homes in 2023 and 2024 combined". The lower number of notices lodged over the first five months of 2025 likely reflects a shift in focus in the construction sector to progressing the homes already in the pipeline, they added. "Feedback from the sector suggests significantly increased activity on sites around the country – the Department of Housing is working with local authorities to gauge the level of activity currently underway in respect of the notices received in 2023 and 2024. Our initial analysis suggests almost 90% of the associated sites have been activated so far, auguring well for the completion of many of these units in 2025 and 2026."
Irish Post
2 days ago
- Business
- Irish Post
Protest outside the Dáil over Ireland's housing crisis
LARGE demonstrations have taken place outside the Dáil Éireann over Ireland's escalating housing crisis. The Irish Congress of Trade Unions organised the "Raise the Roof" protest to coincide with a parliamentary debate on the issue. The union labelled the crisis "the greatest political failure of our time". Ethel Buckley, deputy general secretary of SIPTU, stated: 'Workers are being priced out of home ownership and can only access housing by taking on unsustainable financial burdens.' She went on to add: 'This has serious consequences, not just on a personal level, but across society. We're seeing vital jobs go unfilled and more young people emigrating.' 'What's urgently needed is a complete overhaul and long-term strategy to provide secure, affordable housing.' Ireland's housing crisis has forced the government to navigate the wide gap in priorities between renters, landlords and property developers. Homeownership is simply out of reach for many young people due to high demand and low supply. According to recent data from property site Daft, average monthly rent has now surpassed €2,000 nationwide. In response, the government has tried to introduce policies that both limit rent hikes and encourage construction by developers and investors. Taoiseach Micheál Martin has stated that the government aims to considerably boost construction to meet national demand. However, Sinn Féin has repeatedly criticised the government for not taking enough action to resolve the crisis. The opposition described the situation as a severe emergency prior to the protest. Eoin Ó Broin TD, Sinn Féin's housing spokesperson, said: 'We're calling for measures that genuinely protect renters, not the weakening of rent pressure zones that we've seen so far, but a total freeze on rent increases and concrete support to bring costs down.' Rent Pressure Zones (RPZs) are areas where rent increases are legally limited to shield tenants from sharp price hikes. The Raise the Roof campaign has widespread public support, but it remains uncertain whether this will alleviate Ireland's housing woes any time soon.
The Journal
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Journal
'Shame on this government': Raise the Roof housing protest takes place outside Leinster House
LAST UPDATE | 39 mins ago HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE have gathered for a rally outside Leinster House this evening calling for urgent government action on the housing crisis. The 'Raise the Roof' protest on Molesworth Street was coordinated by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, which has described the crisis as 'the greatest political failure of our time'. The protest is supported by most opposition parties. People Before Profit's Paul Murphy says today's Raise the Roof housing protest outside the Dáil has to be a launchpad for further action. 'We cannot wait for the next election, we cannot wait until there are 20,000 homeless people.' @thejournal_ie — Jane Matthews (@janeematthews) June 17, 2025 Flags for the opposition parties, as well as a number of trade union groups, could be seen among the crowd this afternoon. A number of opposition leaders and TDs addressed the crowd, including Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald, Labour leader Ivana Bacik, Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne and People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy, who arrived back in Ireland from Egypt earlier today . People gather outside Leinster House today for the protest Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo The rally is timed to coincide with a private members' motion tabled by opposition parties in the Dáil, which calls for emergency action on the housing and homelessness crisis – including increased investment in public housing, action to protect private renters, and a reintroduction of the ban on no-fault evictions. Advertisement The protest also featured speeches and performances by folk singer Lisa O'Neill, punk singer Meryl Streek, writer and artist Veronica Dyas, folk singers Jimi Cullen and Martin Leahy. Musician Meryl Streek kicked off the protest with a performance of his song about the housing crisis 'If This is Life' #RaisetheRoof @thejournal_ie — Jane Matthews (@janeematthews) June 17, 2025 Speaking at the protest, Mary Lou McDonald said: 'We are here because we are sick and tired of the housing emergency.' 'Look to the hostels and the B&Bs in this city and beyond and what do you see? Children who in their childhood call a hostel or a B&B home. Shameful. 'I grew up in the 1980s and this city was poor, we battled with a drug epidemic, with poverty, with mass emigration, with unemployment. 'But I tell you, we didn't see the like of that. 'I never thought that I could feel so much shame here in this city that I love when people are sleeping in doorways and in tents and on the banks of canals, and somehow that has been normalised. Shame. Shame on a government that normalises homelessness at that scale,' she said. The protest comes shortly after opposition TDs accused the government of implementing changes that will lead to rent hikes for tenants . Mary Lou McDonald told Taoiseach Micheál Martin that incoming changes to the rental sector will be a 'blueprint to boost the profit of the big boys and to screw over renters'. Ivana Bacik also asked Martin when the government will 'take political responsibility for the housing crisis', and said that Labour does not support a 'hollowed out version' of Rent Pressure Zones 'that offer no real protections for renters.' With reporting from Jane Matthews Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Independent
3 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Independent
‘We want an opportunity to get on with our lives' –Raise the Roof rally demands new approach to housing
Today at 16:09 Hundreds of people gathered outside the Dáil to protest the Government's housing policy, which Opposition TDs said has left renters struggling and thousands homeless. The crowd gathered for the Raise the Roof rally heard how some tenants are paying rents of up to €2,000 each month for their accommodation, while some apartments are advertised for as much as €4,000 a month. Others have been living into their 30s and 40s in their childhood bedrooms or in hidden homelessness, while a record 15,580 people were living in emergency accommodation in April, protestors heard. Speaking to the crowd outside Leinster House, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said the message for the Government from the rally is: 'The game is up, the people are at the gate.' Dubliner Eoin Hogan (33) said the housing crisis is stalling life for the younger generation as major milestones are 'being pushed back' due to difficulties faced in renting and buying a home. "If I wanted to move in with my girlfriend, it's incredibly difficult to find a place, it's incredibly expensive if you want to buy you own home and have kids, everything is getting pushed back and pushed back,' he told the Irish Independent. "We just want an equal opportunity to get on with our lives. I know many people who have moved to Australia, moved abroad. Something needs to be done.' Louis Fallon (31) said 'everything' in renters lives are impacted by the struggle to find affordable accommodation. "When I was back in college, it was €400 in Monkstown ten years ago for a single bedroom. Now, in Dublin, it's like €700 to €800. If I lost the room I had now, I wouldn't be able to afford it. I'd be back home with my parents. It affects everything in your life – education, relationships,' he said. Protestors held party political flags, banners representing trade unions and signs with slogans such as 'housing is a human right', 'rent is too damn high' and 'dereliction is a social crime'. "I'm 30 years of age and I live with my parents because we're saving for a house,' said Stobie (30), who is from Dublin. ADVERTISEMENT Learn more "Myself and my partner were renting in separate apartments for a couple of years but it's just not viable to live independently and save for a house – it's either one or the other and I don't think that should be the way life is.' Faye White (31) said the housing crisis 'has been getting worse, rather than better' in recent years as she said the new legislation around Rent Pressure Zones are 'not good enough' to make a difference for renters. "I have rented myself, I've been lucky enough and I will be able to hopefully get a mortgage and buy a home, the only reason is because my partner's family own the home. I would not even be able to think about getting a mortgage or look to buy a home if I wasn't in that very privileged situation.' Ms McDonald said the Government 'must be faced down' on housing, telling protestors that it is 'shameful' that so many children 'call a hostel or a B&B home', while People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy said rising rents have become policy. "We cannot wait for over 20,000 people to be homeless, and that's where we'll be by the next election if things keep going. We can't wait for average rent in Dublin to go well beyond €3,000 a month,' he said. "We can't wait while house prices continue to rise at a record rate. We have to stop them now with protests like this.' Labour leader Ivana Bacik accused the Government of U-turns and 'terrible' housing policies, while Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne said the 'biggest barrier and blockage to housing in this country is behind us, and it's called Fianna Fail and Fine Gael'.
