Darragh O'Brien claims Sinn Féin 'irresponsible' for putting forward housing amendments

Housing minister criticises SF's alternative budget provisions on housing, which call for the scrapping of the Help To Buy scheme

Darragh O'Brien requested that Sinn Féin not put forward amendments to the bill. Picture: Damien Storan

Housing Minister Darragh O'Brien has entered into a war of words with Sinn Féin, saying that it is "irresponsible" for the party to put forward amendments to housing legislation.

Darragh O'Brien wrote to Sinn Féin's Housing and Finance spokespeople Eoin Ó Broin and Pearse Doherty on Tuesday to say that it would be "superficial and irresponsible" for the Opposition party to propose amendments to the legislation underpinning the Budget.

In the letter, seen by the Irish Examiner, Mr O'Brien criticises Sinn Féin's alternative budget's provisions on housing, which call for the scrapping of the Help To Buy scheme.

"Our analysis of the commitments in the alternative budget document show a worrying cut of €260m in direct home-ownership supports. At the same time, the document confirms just €74m in additional home-ownership supports."

Mr O'Brien further accuses Sinn Féin of causing uncertainty in the housing market.

I am deeply concerned that the key proposals put forward by your alternative budget undermines confidence in the residential construction sector and risks directly damaging housing output. 

"It also casts a cloud of uncertainty over aspiring first-time buyers. Despite commitments to publish one, neither I, nor the Minister for Finance have received or had the opportunity to review an alternative housing plan from Sinn Féin.

"While every elected member has a right, and is indeed encouraged, to put forward alternative budgets and ideas, they also have a responsibility to ensure they are based on evidence, proportionate, and balanced. The lack of detail provided to date on Sinn Féin housing policy severely undermines this and further adds to uncertainty for the sector."

The housing minister goes on to request that Sinn Féin not put forward amendments to the bill and asks for Sinn Féin to give him a policy document "as soon as is practicable".

"With the current lack of such substantive detail it would be both superficial and irresponsible to put forward legislative amendments or Dáil motions on the matter, particularly given the clear increases in home building and buying to date. The Government has confirmed its commitment to these key schemes, Sinn Féin’s opposition generates unwarranted uncertainty for the sector and for first time buyers."

Eoin Ó Broin said since Mr O'Brien took office, house prices have risen 28%. Picture: Damien Storan

Mr Ó Broin, however, fired back today, saying that since Mr O'Brien took office, house prices have increased by 28%, costing on average €70,000 more; rents have increased by 25%, costing on average €3,700 more per year; and homelessness, including child homelessness, has increased by 47%.

"Given that you and your Government’s record on housing has to date been so poor, I am not surprised that in recent times you are spending more of your energy on misrepresenting and attacking Sinn Féin’s housing policy," he said.

"It is somewhat ironic that you present your Government and Fianna Fáil as champions of home ownership.

"Since the 1990s, every time your party has been in government, home ownership declines. The recent census results show that home ownership declined to 66% during the period of both Confidence and Supply and the current Coalition Government. The reason for this is very clear. 

Your housing policies, including the so-called Help To Buy Scheme and the controversial Shared Equity Loan scheme, drive up private housing costs.

The Sinn Féin TD says in closing that his party will not apologise for putting forward motions.

"Sinn Féin makes no apologies for tabling private members' motions, private members' bills, or amendments to Government legislation on these and other issues and will continue to do so in the time ahead.

"Ultimately, this is a matter for the voters, and I look forward to getting the opportunity to debate directly with you during that campaign on why I passionately believe that a Sinn Féin-led Government with a Sinn Féin housing plan delivering affordable homes at scale is the only way to undo the damage caused by decades of bad Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael housing policy."