Podcast: When it comes to housing Fianna Fáil must tread carefully

Barry Cowen defends his proposal to cut VAT rates for builders despite negative reaction

Barry Cowen said the Government’s mantra was: “Oh, it’s all your fault and what we’ve inherited and what we did and what we did not do.” Photograph: Eric Luke/The Irish Times

Wed Sep 6 2017 - 15:34

For Fianna Fáil, the memory of the property crash could still be a problem when it comes to credibility on dealing with the housing crisis.

That much was demonstrated this week by the negative reaction to party housing spokesperson Barry Cowen’s proposal to reduce VAT rates for builders.

On today's podcast, host Hugh Linehan and Political Editor Pat Leahy talk to Deputy Cowen, who defends his proposal and Fianna Fáil's record when it comes to housing.

After that we go to Fiach Kelly at the Sinn Féin think-in to hear about the murky future of Gerry Adams' leadership and the much clearer plan to take a role in a Dublin government.