Fianna Fáil plans emergency powers to tackle the housing crisis

Fianna Fáil is to seek emergency laws to help tackle the housing crisis in a belief that the Government’s plan to build new homes and tackle homelessness is failing.

In a radical move, the party wants emergency powers given to the housing minister to help fast-track the construction of social and affordable homes and a new semi-state housing authority established.

The push comes as Housing Minister Simon Coveney, writing in today’s Irish Examiner, admits the housing sector has been on “life support” for years and that Ireland is a long way off delivering the necessary number of homes for the population.