Fine Gael’s proposals for the Dáil’s kingmakers
The proposals are outlined in a five-page “discussion document” sent last night to all politicians participating in round-table talks with the caretaker Taoiseach’s party, marking the first concrete deal since the post-election stalemate began.
The file, which has been seen by the Irish Examiner and includes 37 separate policy suggestions in response to last Thursday’s day-long negotiations on housing, contains no figures on how much any of the plans will cost.
However, it will be central to the opening hours of today’s second day of round-table talks between Mr Kenny, the Independent Alliance, five loosely aligned rural Independents, the Healy-Rae brothers. Maureen O’Sullivan, Katherine Zappone and the Greens, as the countdown begins to the next Dáil Taoiseach nomination vote next Tuesday.
The suggested housing plans, to be followed by similar documents on other government areas over the coming days, include:
- A new housing action plan within eight weeks of the new government, which will include quarterly updates and involve input from housing charities and other independent groups in addition to “key performance indicators” which must be met
- A cabinet minister for housing.
- A new site valuation tax and vacant site levy to stop developers from hoarding land.
- A town and village renewal scheme to help address the hollowing out of rural Ireland and encourage people to move out of Dublin.
- A commitment to examine mortgage reforms for struggling families.
- “Improved access” to the tenant-purchase scheme.
- A commitment not to cut funding for rough sleeper, long-term homeless and tenancy sustainment protocol services.
- Doubling of available funds for social housing approvals
- New measures to link local authority funding directly to estate management to reduce the risk of empty or unusable homes
- Tax relief for landlords who accept rent supplement from tenants.
The document also includes a focus on addressing the related issues of homelessness, the rental bubble, difficulties in obtaining mortgages, construction and the amount of houses available in an apparent admission the matters are part of the same problem.
The 37 separate points, and the fact none are costed to date, will be central to the second day of round-table talks at 10.30am today in Leinster House.
While Fine Gael remains hopeful forming a minority government on April 6, a number of Independent TDs have privately said the reality that other equally important policy matters must be addressed means late April is more realistic. In addition, the Independent Alliance and the five-strong rural TD alliance have already committed to holding separate meetings with Fianna Fáil and its leader Micheál Martin throughout that day.
Speaking at Fairyhouse Racecourse yesterday, Mr Kenny said no TD can “sit on the sidelines” and that “they have to take responsibility”.
Independent TDs Michael Collins and John Halligan last night said the public is frustrated Mr Kenny and Mr Martin have yet to open talks.
