Fianna Fáil MEP Claims Government Won't Reach Housing Targets Without Serious Reform

Clare FM

An Ireland South MEP has cast doubt over the Government's ability to achieve its housing targets in 2025, due to what he's described as a failure to address infrastructural challenges. It follows a recent briefing paper issued by key construction industry stakeholders, which stated that as a result of zoned land shortages, "it is not physically possible to construct 50,000 houses per year". Government formation talks are continuing today between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, with members of the Regional Independents Group, as well as Independent TDs Michael and Danny Healy-Rae set to receive formal invitations to attend in the coming days. While both parties have committed to building 300,000 homes by 2030, a document published by the Civil Engineering Contractors Association, Water Services Operators Group, Construction Industry Federation and the Irish Home Builders Association has cast doubt on the viability of this pledge. It's stated that it's not "physically possible" to construct this volume of homes as Ireland is running out of zoned land for new houses that's serviced with water and wastewater infrastructure. The result of this, it's claimed, will be the outward flow of foreign direct investment from Ireland. Fianna Fáil MEP for the Ireland South Constituency, Billy Kelleher insists the planning process must be streamlined in order to bring about the required infrastructure. Signed into law in October, the Planning and Development Bill has been described as an attempt to consolidate Irish planning law into a single piece of legislation and was dubbed by Housing Minister Darragh O'Brien as the "most significant reform in planning legislation since 2000". Following the vote on the bill, Sinn Féin accused the Government of rushing its final stages. Clare architect and lecturer at South East Technological University, Garry Miley claims Ireland's planning system remains "arcane" and "medieval," but doesn't believe "throwing more legislation" at the problem is the answer.