Madam, - It is good to see Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats express concern about the affordability of housing. However, I disagree with Minister for Housing Noel Ahern TD's assertion that there are many affordable homes in Dublin, and that mortgage interest rate increases have been painless for borrowers.
The Green Party believes the Government needs to do the following:
• Fully implement the Kenny Report recommendation that the State be allowed purchase lands at 25 per cent above their agricultural value. It is immoral that rezonings in Shankill increased the value of lands from €2 million to €200 million. The State should have been able to purchase those lands for €2.5 million and build affordable homes.
• Reinstate the 20 per cent rule for affordable and social housing in new developments. Martin Cullen filleted this legislation while he was Minister for the Environment and it is failing to deliver the numbers of homes promised.
• Remove property-based tax reliefs as they fuel the housing market. These tax reliefs are allowing many people to avoid income tax, and do little to help first-time purchasers.
• Abolish stamp duty for older people trading down, thus releasing more family houses to the market.
Fresh thinking is required. Perhaps a change of government and a rest for the current office-holders would allow a new approach to this crucial issue.
- Yours, etc,
CIARÁN CUFFE TD, Green Party Housing Spokesperson, Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin.