No right to home ownership, says Ahern

NO constitutional right exists to own a home, the Taoiseach said yesterday, confirming there are no plans to hold a referendum to cap the price of land this year.

Fine Gael environment spokesman Bernard Allen was expelled from the Dáil after continually heckling Mr Ahern as he defended the Government's record on supplying land for affordable housing.

The row with Ceann Comhairle Rory O'Hanlon resulted in the Dáil being suspended for more than half an hour.

According to Mr Ahern, the All-Party Committee on the Constitution is examining ways to make land for housing more affordable but there is no constitutional right to home ownership.

The options being explored include holding a referendum to put a cap on the price of land.

But the Taoiseach said there were no plans to hold a referendum on any issue this year.

The supply of houses was at a high level with almost 60,000 houses built last year and the percentage of first time buyers was growing, while rents were dropping dramatically, Mr Ahern claimed.

The Government had successfully intervened with three Bacon Reports and the Planning and Development Act, he said.

Accusing the Taoiseach of waffling, Deputy Allen said the Government had failed to address the issue and young people trying to buy a house were being crucified.

The Government had done a u-turn on its rules forcing developers to make 20% of houses available for social and affordable housing, Deputy Allen said.

Stating that the Ceann Comhairle was being touchy, Deputy Allen accused him of protecting the Taoiseach.

The Ceann Comhairle demanded that Deputy Allen leave the chamber and a stand-off ensued when he refused.