Fianna Fáil has hit out at the government on its 'short sighted' approach to the private housing market in next year's Budget.

The party's Environment Spokesperson, Barry Cowen TD, said providing good quality homes at an affordable price in the right location should be a priority for the Government.

Deputy Cowen said: "However, the lessons of the past few years and the risks of stoking a property bubble have been completely ignored by the Government as they attempt to save the seats of as many TDs as possible.

-- Advertisement --

"Completely abolishing the Windfall Property Tax risks a return to damaging land speculation in years to come. Combined with the halving of Part V to 10% of social housing provision; the mechanisms for providing social benefit from future development has been rolled back by the Government.

"All the same time, there are no measures in dealing with the problems faced by renters who will be excluded from the housing market by new central bank demands on savings.

"This budget was a chance to help revive the private housing market. Instead the Government has rolled back planning laws designed to make sure everyone benefited from an upturn in the property market, not just a few.

"This comes before they have even established an independent planning regulator to oversee a properly functioning planning system in Ireland. By putting the cart before the horse the Government is showing they have learned nothing and forgotten nothing."

(CD/JP)