Billboards won’t build houses; evidence based realistic policy will – Bailey

A Fine Gael TD has criticised Sinn Féin for focusing on stunts instead of solutions when it comes to the very important issue of housing.

Dun Laoghaire TD Maria Bailey, who is Chair of the Oireachtas Housing Committee, said: “Billboards won’t build houses, evidence based realistic policy will.

“Rebuilding Ireland is the corner stone of the government’s response to the current housing situation, it is a collaborative document in which stakeholder and experts played a huge role.

“If Sinn Féin wants to pay for billboards to drive around Dublin, that is their choice. My preference would be if they used such billboards to highlight the supports that are available rather than using them as a publicity stunt.

“I would rather talk about the difficulties we are facing in an honest way and not mislead people with flash headlines,” she said.

“Rebuilding Ireland is working, we are seeing progress, albeit not at the pace we would like, however Rebuilding Ireland is the policy platform we need to get our construction industry and housing supply back up and running.

“Housing is a vast and complex area and it requires an all-encompassing policy approach, it must be tackled in totality and not piecemeal. That is what government has been doing since 2016 and it is what government will continue to do into the future.

“Fine Gael in Government is using Rebuilding Ireland to generate solid foundations on which we can deliver Ireland 2040, which will provide better opportunities and communities for all,” Deputy Bailey said.