Person: Darragh O’Brien

Sign in

Person: Darragh O’Brien

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

<p>Housing Minister Darragh O'Brien said that he doesn't believe local councillors 'have the level of input that they should have'. Cork City Council currently meets at City Hall, Cork. File Picture: Denis Minihane.</p>

politics

Minister wants local councillors to have more decision making power

Darragh O’Brien said that he wanted to see a better spread of representation within local politics, by profession, ethnicity, and gender

<p>In an interview with the Irish Examiner, Minister Darragh O'Brien said the country needed more rental properties and that he would be open to any measures to provide further supply.</p>

news

Tax cuts for individual landlords 'needs to be looked at' in Budget 2025, says Housing Minister

<p>Minister for Justice Helen McEntee will also seek Government approval to increase fines imposed on airlines that fail to insure passengers have appropriate documentation. Picture: Sam Boal/Collins</p>

news

McEntee seeks to bring Ireland in line with EU through new immigration laws

Housing stock

comment-analysis

Attracta Uí Bhroin: Planning bill could delay delivery of homes and climate infrastructure

New bill will allow all third-level graduates vote in Seanad elections

politics

New bill will allow all third-level graduates vote in Seanad elections

'A very special place': Kerry to be the home of Ireland's first marine national park

munster

'A very special place': Kerry to be the home of Ireland's first marine national park

Fianna Fail Ard Fheis 2024

Mick Clifford: Could the new housing bill make things worse?

Committee members and planners have highlighted some of the flaws they believe could hinder development if new legislation is introduced

Mon, 22 Apr, 2024

Fianna Fail Ard Fheis 2024

Development levies to be scrapped for remainder of the year

Housing Minister Darragh O'Brien tells Fianna Fáil ard fheis he will scrap the development levy and water charges for all homes

Sat, 13 Apr, 2024

Fuel prices

Irish Examiner view: Consumers badly need a champion

If you study the regular inflation figures issued by the ECB, you might be forgiven for believing that the economy is on an improving trajectory. Inflation rates have fallen below the ECB target of 2%, although the average for the eurozone is 2. 4%.

Mon, 08 Apr, 2024

Russian invasion of Ukraine

Group tasked with examining Cork City's boundary compensation crisis no longer exists

Renewed calls likely for Darragh O’Brien to either increase council funding or directly intervene

Sun, 07 Apr, 2024

Narrow Water bridge project

Cabinet approves €110m capital fund to help fish migration

Darragh O'Brien wins Cabinet approval for programme to mitigate the impact of river barriers on biodiversity, principally due to disruption to fish migration

Wed, 28 Feb, 2024

CC FIANNA FAIL

Attracta Uí Bhroin: New Planning Bill provides fertile ground for corruption and extortion

Many of us were glued to the TV last Monday to watch RTÉ Investigates for yet more gory details of more problems in the area of planning in Ireland. Most people typically switch off when you mention “planning”. Not so this week.

Mon, 11 Dec, 2023

A man uses the Airbnb smartphone app while stood in a tall building overlooking a busy city street (Editorial use only)

Darragh O’Brien to discuss EU agreement on crackdown on short-term lets

Irish plans to regulate short-term lets were stymied by the European Commission

Sun, 03 Dec, 2023

Narrow Water bridge project

Legislation to overhaul planning system has been published

The 700-page Planning and Development Bill was published late on Tuesday night

Tue, 21 Nov, 2023

Narrow Water bridge project

Minister to scrutinise Cork City Council's soaring compensation payments to county council

Its first payment in 2020 was just over €13m but because it is linked to inflation, the 2022 payment had increased by €600,000

Tue, 21 Nov, 2023

Minister accuses 'arrogant' Sinn Féin of being 'heavy on bluster' in alternative Budget

Minister accuses 'arrogant' Sinn Féin of being 'heavy on bluster' in alternative Budget

Sinn Féin's Eoin Ó Broin said: 'Almost all of the evidence available shows that the Government’s policy is failing.'

Fri, 06 Oct, 2023

Irish Examiner view: We must look more closely at protests by lawyers and gardaí

Irish Examiner view: We must look more closely at protests by lawyers and gardaí

The Irish justice system came under pressure on Tuesday as barristers went on strike and gardaí refused voluntary overtime

Wed, 04 Oct, 2023

Cork City shortchanged by government over local property tax funding, claims councillor

Cork City shortchanged by government over local property tax funding, claims councillor

'It means the city will be down millions over the coming years'

Thu, 21 Sep, 2023

Sourcing accommodation for Ukrainians 'a challenge' as new arrivals to stay in tents

Sourcing accommodation for Ukrainians 'a challenge' as new arrivals to stay in tents

Darragh O’Brien said the State has managed to accommodate almost 100,000 Ukrainians and asylum seekers fleeing persecution

Fri, 01 Sep, 2023

Leo Varadkar becomes Taoiseach

S Who are the winners and losers of the boundary changes?

Despite an increase of 14 TDs, there will still be politicians left high and dry by changes but just who's in trouble after the boundary changes?

Wed, 30 Aug, 2023

House buyers urged to apply for local authority home loans

House buyers urged to apply for local authority home loans

The loan can be used to purchase a second-hand home as well as new homes and for self-builds.

Mon, 28 Aug, 2023

Drawer of wooden commode full of paper documents

Paul Hosford: Why has the State been sitting on the Mulcahy Report since 2017?

The report into planning corruption allegations — which themselves date back to 2010 — is still under lock and key. It's a fine example of the sclerosis that holds up reform in Ireland

Sat, 12 Aug, 2023

Firefighters to escalate strike action after 'astonishing' silence from Government

Firefighters to escalate strike action after 'astonishing' silence from Government

Part-time fire stations will “go dark” from Saturday at 8am, providing no internal communications other than life-saving information

Fri, 11 Aug, 2023

Defence Forces will come under spotlight in the wake of Women of Honour disclosures

Defence Forces will come under spotlight in the wake of Women of Honour disclosures

Micheál Martin to tell Cabinet he intends to set up inquiry into systemic failings in how the Defence Forces handled complaints

Tue, 11 Jul, 2023

Narrow Water bridge project

Vulture funds blocked from buying 31,000 homes in two years

Thousands of houses and duplexes have been ringfenced for individual buyers after a measure was introduced by Government following a public outcry.

Tue, 04 Jul, 2023

Rush For Irish Passport Applications Increases By Britons Since Brexit

Suggestions welcomed as Irish passport set for facelift

Separately, the Cabinet is also due to approve new measures to prevent anti-abortion protests outside healthcare facilities.

Tue, 27 Jun, 2023

Sinn Fein Ard Fheis

Dáil hears of woman, 78, with heart failure left on hospital chair for 24 hours

In response, Darragh O’Brien said 970 new acute beds had been opened since 2020

Thu, 01 Jun, 2023

Russian invasion of Ukraine

Darragh O'Brien complains to EU Commission it has delayed crackdown on Airbnb lettings

Rules that would see around 12,000 short-term properties come back into the long-term rental market mothballed by Europe

Mon, 22 May, 2023

Darragh O'Brien promises to enact 'right to first refusal' for tenants before summer recess

Darragh O'Brien promises to enact 'right to first refusal' for tenants before summer recess

Housing Minister says it will protect renters after the lifting of the eviction ban and will be balanced with tax breaks for landlords

Mon, 22 May, 2023

An Bord Pleanala / Cobblestone

Renaming An Bord Pleanála is a collective punishment for employees, says trade union

Under the draft Planning and Development Bill 2022 recently launched by the Department of Housing, An Bord Pleanála would be rebranded as a commission named An Coimisiún Pleanála

Sat, 20 May, 2023

House prices

Backlog at land registry body causes delays for home buyers

Newly-established body inherited a backlog of just under 120,000 stalled applications and so far this year a further backlog of 2,398 applications has formed

Sun, 14 May, 2023

Woman looking at houses and flats in the window of an estate agent in London, UK

'Housing is at the root of all my concerns' says 55-year-old renter with cancer

A new report has found a quarter of older Irish people renting expect to remain doing so for the remainder of their lives

Thu, 11 May, 2023

Irish Examiner view: Buyers must get price reduction

Irish Examiner view: Buyers must get price reduction

Home construction incentives

Thu, 27 Apr, 2023

Russian invasion of Ukraine

Darragh O'Brien: Opposition's housing measures criticism 'entirely predictable'

Minister announced a €1bn package of additional housing measures this week

Wed, 26 Apr, 2023

Government red tape blamed for €1bn housing underspend

Government red tape blamed for €1bn housing underspend

Sinn Féin's Eoin O Broin said the covid shutdowns to construction could explain part of the underspend, but that it has continued into 2023

Thu, 06 Apr, 2023

Ireland needs return to mass mobilisation to bring change to housing system

Ireland needs return to mass mobilisation to bring change to housing system

Popular and well-organised movements in the past forced successive governments to take steps to meet the country’s housing needs

Thu, 06 Apr, 2023

Government battles to secure Independents' backing ahead of eviction ban vote

Government battles to secure Independents' backing ahead of eviction ban vote

Darragh O'Brien to adopt Regional Independents' measures as Government tries to ensure it has enough votes tonight

Wed, 22 Mar, 2023

Michael Stone resigns

Paschal Donohoe says increase in apartment output justifies tax breaks for REIT funds

Public Expenditure Minister credits institutional investors with the 'dramatic' rise in the number of apartments being built

Sun, 12 Mar, 2023

Paul Hosford: Darragh O’Brien is banking on unproven schemes to solve housing crisis

Paul Hosford: Darragh O’Brien is banking on unproven schemes to solve housing crisis

Paul Hosford says the house purchase schemes announced this week will help determine if the end of the eviction ban will be an even bigger issue this summer

Fri, 10 Mar, 2023

Ciara Phelan: We all feel trapped, locked out, and uncertain now evictions seem set to resume

Ciara Phelan: We all feel trapped, locked out, and uncertain now evictions seem set to resume

Renters all over Ireland are dreading the landlord's email, and the real prospect of becoming homeless, writes CIARA PHELAN

Wed, 08 Mar, 2023

An Bord Pleanala appointments

Almost 480 planning applications yet to be decided after one year

Ordinarily, planning applications should be decided upon within 18 weeks, but now An Bord Pleanála had 2,676 planning applications outstanding

Sun, 05 Mar, 2023

Evictions ban

382 deaths among those using Dublin homeless services since 2018

The figure, obtained from Dublin City Council, does not include homeless people who may have died while sleeping rough.

Tue, 21 Feb, 2023

Cost of living package will be 'targeted' and 'significant', says O'Brien

Cost of living package will be 'targeted' and 'significant', says O'Brien

The cost of living package to be unveiled to the Cabinet tomorrow will include very targeted measures, according to the Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien.

Mon, 20 Feb, 2023

House building study

Further blow to housing targets as new apprenticeships fall

The Government’s target is to achieve 10,000 sign-ups every year by 2025 as part of its strategy to tackle housing shortages

Mon, 30 Jan, 2023

Picket threat over sewage treatment plant delays in Co Cork

Picket threat over sewage treatment plant delays in Co Cork

Cork county councillors have threatened to picket Uisce Eireann headquarters unless they get a meeting with senior management to discuss delays to seven sewage treatment projects.

Tue, 24 Jan, 2023

Developers’ failings will cost the taxpayer, not themselves

Developers’ failings will cost the taxpayer, not themselves

People living in defective apartments are now paying twice for the privilege, as their taxes are to be used to carry out repairs

Thu, 19 Jan, 2023

Daniel McConnell: English departure is unlikely to be the last as tensions mount

S Daniel McConnell: English departure is unlikely to be the last as tensions mount

Increased tetchiness and bickering among Coalition parties over the potential spoils of war

Sat, 14 Jan, 2023

Illustration of people building with balanced shape blocks

Mick Clifford: Refusal to publish reports into An Bord Pleanála not likely to instill confidence

While the housing minister is introducing some measures to reform An Bord Pleanála, the problems go far beyond issues of management fuzziness, writes Mick Clifford

Wed, 11 Jan, 2023

Mortgage approvals

Varadkar: Makes sense to increase housing targets due to rising population and Ukraine

When asked if tax breaks for developers are under consideration by the Government, the Taoiseach said nothing is off the table

Tue, 10 Jan, 2023

Lord Mayor says Ballymun asylum protests were 'orchestrated' by far-right

Lord Mayor says Ballymun asylum protests were 'orchestrated' by far-right

Dublin Lord Mayor, Councillor Caroline Conroy, said: “We’re going to look at the best response from the community to show the real side of Ballymun – that we are inclusive."

Mon, 09 Jan, 2023