Fianna Fáil candidate for the European Elections in the Midlands North West, Barry Cowen TD, has called for a Europe-led approach to tackle the housing crisis.

Housing has emerged as a concern across Europe, and Deputy Cowen supports the initiative led by his Fianna Fáil counterpart Barry Andrews to advocate for a new EU Housing Strategy.

Last month, the Dublin MEP outlined to the European Parliament the necessity for appointing a dedicated European Commissioner for Housing and establishing a specialised Housing Committee.

Deputy Cowen confirms that Fianna Fáil fully endorses this proposal and if elected to the European Parliament on June 7th, he will push for an EU Housing Strategy at the onset of the next parliamentary term.

In a statement, Deputy Cowen said:

"Housing has become an increasingly significant issue at European level, and it is an EU problem rather than an Irish one, with property prices soaring 40% across Europe since 2016. As my colleague Barry Andrews recently told the European Parliament Chamber in Strasbourg, we need to adopt an EU-wide strategy to tackle the housing crisis.

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"I am not just talking about Ireland, Europe has been plunged further into its own housing crisis in recent years, and Fianna Fáil is calling for a Europe-wide solution. The latest EuroConstruct report states construction output in Ireland is predicted to increase by 4.4% this year - the strongest rate of growth among 19 European countries analysed.

"Ireland's growth is despite overall construction activity contracting by 2.1% across Europe, exemplifying the extent of the problem amid economic uncertainty, rising interest rates and reduced credit. Over 100,000 homes have been built since Fianna Fáil re-entered government in 2020 - more than in the past two Governments combined - with permission granted for 41,225 homes this year, a 21% increase on 2023. However Ireland’s progress is still being inhibited by outdated and strict EU debt rules.

"That is why it is necessary to establish an EU Strategy on Housing which would include a Committee and pave the way for reforms, provide accessible supports to increase construction output and provide more housing and social housing, as well as retaking control of the rental market.

"This is not just an Irish problem, it is a European one - and it’s time for Europe to act accordingly. Ireland is already outperforming its fellow EU Member States, with more investment we could build even more homes across the country to finally solve the housing crisis."