Alan Kelly called before housing committee

Environment Minister Alan Kelly is set to be hauled before a newly established Dáil committee on Tuesday to answer questions about the escalating housing and homelessness crisis.

Mr Kelly was ordered to attend after the housing committee’s first meeting said he must answer questions about the scandal.

The group has been tasked with compiling a report by June 17 on the causes and resolutions to the housing crisis in a bid to put in place long-term reforms.

It is due to meet with representatives from Nama, the rental market, those affected by mortgage arrears, homelessness, and social housing groups, and other individuals over the nine-week period. Mr Kelly will be first to attend the committee.

Labour’s deputy leader has previously confirmed he is willing to attend any meeting with the committee in order to help address the problems continuing to affect housing levels.

When the likely request was first raised this month, as plans were being put in place to establish the committee, a spokesperson for Mr Kelly said he “would be open to such a forum and happy to engage”.

There are believed to be concerns that any discussion could result in a politicised row as parties try to gain the upper hand over the issue.

At its first meeting yesterday, the committee — which will hold two meetings on Tuesday and two on Thursday from next week, and, like the reform committee, can make recommendations before a new government emerges — elected Fianna Fáil TD John Curran as chairman.

The body, called for by Sinn Féin TD Eoin Ó Broin, heard claims from Independent TD Mick Wallace that Ireland can solve the housing crisis by telling the EU to provide €10bn immediately.

While a number of TDs said yesterday that new thinking is needed, Independent TD Maureen O Sullivan said the reality is “we don’t need to reinvent the wheel”.