Martin Daly demands urgent action on housing, planning reforms
Martin Daly called for urgent action on housing, planning reform and private investment, saying the crisis is the state's most pressing challenge and that tough decisions are necessary. He urged faster rezoning, stronger ministerial leadership, scaling of modern construction methods and a balanced approach to rent measures.
Martin Daly said housing is the most pressing challenge facing the state and will define the government's success. He acknowledged the previous Housing for All policy met its targets but said rising demand requires swifter action and clear communication to build public confidence and expose the Opposition's lack of solutions.
He highlighted planning delays and inconsistent decisions in the Ruscommon-Golby constituency, citing stalled supply in Bannesloe, Boyle, Castlereagh and Ruscommon and a decade without new homes in Ballygar. He welcomed the Planning Bill 2024 and the Planning Framework of 2025 as tools allowing local authorities to rezone where there is critical need, but stressed that ministerial leadership is needed to maintain momentum and insist on a proactive planning culture.
Martin Daly noted government commitments of £6 to £7 billion this year while the estimated investment requirement is about £20 billion, especially for apartment construction. He argued that private equity is critical because the state cannot carry the entire financing burden and that striking the right balance between security of tenure, rent controls and supply is essential.
He said the rent pressure zone reforms align with the Housing Commission's recommendations and that measures must avoid unintended consequences. Daly criticised the Opposition for offering no credible, coherent solutions and emphasised the public, particularly younger generations, expect urgency and effective delivery.
He urged the use of off-site or modular construction and welcomed the Modern Methods of Construction Action Plan published recently by the minister as a road map to a sustainable industry that can scale with predictable state supply lines. He pointed to a wastewater treatment plant in Ballygar going to tender as an example of infrastructure that can unblock local housing supply and said today's announcements are the first in a succession of measures to deliver on the programme for government commitments.
Housing framed as the defining challenge
Martin Daly said housing is the most pressing challenge facing the state and will define the government's success. He acknowledged the previous Housing for All policy met its targets but said rising demand requires swifter action and clear communication to build public confidence and expose the Opposition's lack of solutions.
Planning bottlenecks in Ruscommon-Golby
He highlighted planning delays and inconsistent decisions in the Ruscommon-Golby constituency, citing stalled supply in Bannesloe, Boyle, Castlereagh and Ruscommon and a decade without new homes in Ballygar. He welcomed the Planning Bill 2024 and the Planning Framework of 2025 as tools allowing local authorities to rezone where there is critical need, but stressed that ministerial leadership is needed to maintain momentum and insist on a proactive planning culture.
Funding gap and role of private investment
Martin Daly noted government commitments of £6 to £7 billion this year while the estimated investment requirement is about £20 billion, especially for apartment construction. He argued that private equity is critical because the state cannot carry the entire financing burden and that striking the right balance between security of tenure, rent controls and supply is essential.
Balancing tenure, rents and reform
He said the rent pressure zone reforms align with the Housing Commission's recommendations and that measures must avoid unintended consequences. Daly criticised the Opposition for offering no credible, coherent solutions and emphasised the public, particularly younger generations, expect urgency and effective delivery.
Modern construction and infrastructure delivery
He urged the use of off-site or modular construction and welcomed the Modern Methods of Construction Action Plan published recently by the minister as a road map to a sustainable industry that can scale with predictable state supply lines. He pointed to a wastewater treatment plant in Ballygar going to tender as an example of infrastructure that can unblock local housing supply and said today's announcements are the first in a succession of measures to deliver on the programme for government commitments.
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Transcript
Minister Sullivan, housing as you well know and as Minister Brown knows is the most pressing challenge facing the state today and will define this government's success. Whilst the last government met its targets with the Housing for All policy, rising demand means that we are acting swiftly to further increase supply and improve affordability. The public, especially younger generations, expect urgency, but government must ensure solutions are effective and do not create unintended consequence. Tough decisions are being made by you and Minister Brown and will continue to be made. The rationale for those decisions have to be communicated to the public to build confidence and expose the paucity of the opposition's solutions. Planning is a major frustration, especially in the Ruscommon-Golby constituency, where slow processes and inconsistent decisions hinder development. The Planning Bill 2024 and the Planning Framework of 2025 now allow local authorities to rezone given critical need. But ministerial leadership is needed to maintain that momentum. We must insist on a proactive planning culture in our local authorities. Private investment is vital. With £6 to £7 billion committed by government this year, the government can't carry the entire estimated £20 billion requirement investment, especially in apartment construction. Private equity is critical. Striking the right balance between security of tenure, rent controls and supply is critical. The rent pressure zone reforms align with the Housing Commission's recommendations. The Opposition has offered no credible, coherent solutions. They are excellent at enunciating the problems, but do not provide solutions. Across my own constituency in Ruscommon-Golby, limited service sites and poor planning have stalled housing supply in places like Bannesloe and Boyle, Castlereagh and Ruscommon. Rental and private housing options have dwindled, leading to demographic shift as young people remain at home longer or leave the country. In my own town, Ballygar, a decade passed without new homes, but now a new wastewater treatment plant has gone to tender, providing hope. This is the type of infrastructural development that must be expedited, and I know you and Minister Brown recognise this. We must use all available technologies to ensure delivery. Off-site or modular construction is vital. I have been assured they can scale up production once they have predictable supply lines from the state, and I welcome the Modern Methods of Construction Action Plan, published by Minister Lawless in the last few days. It provides a road map to a sustainable industry, which will help meet our targets. Balanced regional development is essential. In Ruscommon-Golby, thriving communities are ready to grow, but lack of affordable housing stands in the way, and the status quo can't hold. This crisis affects families, the economy, essential services such as our teachers, guardian, nurses and workers struggle to afford homes. I know you and Minister Brown understand that. We must continue to deliver sustainable solutions, and I know today's announcements are the first in a succession of measures which you will take to deliver on our commitments in the programme for government. Thank you, Deputy. Deputy Catherine.