Tánaiste Simon Harris Defends Irish Housing Amid MEP's «Most Severe» Claim
Tánaiste Simon Harris defended Ireland's housing situation after MEP Irene Tinagli called the crisis «most severe» in Europe. Harris highlighted Ireland's above-average new home completions and pledged to streamline rural housing rules. He acknowledged a housing emergency, emphasizing the need to cut bureaucracy and support home-building schemes.
Tánaiste Simon Harris has defended the Irish Government against accusations by Italian MEP Irene Tinagli, chair of the European Parliament’s housing committee, that Ireland's housing crisis is among Europe’s «most severe» and «most complicated». Tinagli, who was on a fact-finding mission in Ireland, cited evictions, institutional investors, and short-term lets as contributing factors.
Speaking at a sod-turning event for 410 houses in Bishopstown, Cork city, Harris stated that while he hadn't seen Tinagli's exact comments, new home completions in Ireland are «well above the European average», among the highest. He acknowledged a housing emergency in Ireland, emphasizing the need for «zero tolerance in relation to bureaucracy and downright nonsense» and consistent rural housing guidelines. He also reiterated support for schemes like Help to Buy and committed to overhauling rural housing rules in June to simplify the process for families building one-off homes on family or nearby development land, aiming for consistent local authority approaches and balanced regional development.