Sinn Féin have objected to or voted against almost 12,000 Dublin homes since 2018 – Burke

Sinn Féin’s hypocritical approach to the supply of homes is laid bare today as the party objected to, voted against, or attempted to hinder at least 11,687 homes from being built in the capital since 2018, Fine Gael Minister Peter Burke has said.

Minister Burke said the Opposition party are attempting to hoodwink the public with claims they would dramatically boost housing supply if in power, while their own representatives (at national and local level) systematically object to, vote down or attempt to hinder numerous construction projects across Dublin.

The hypocrisy extends to Sinn Féin’s highest levels with leader Mary Lou McDonald, who has expressed ‘concerns’ or objected to over 2,000 homes being built in her constituency from 2020 to 2022.

“Sinn Féin say they are concerned about housing supply and are bringing forward a Dáil motion this week to extend the moratorium on evictions until Christmas, which is reckless and would exacerbate the problem caused by an undersupply of properties.

“What Sinn Féin don’t want you to know about is their own ideological strategy of voting against or lodging objections to projects that would deliver badly needed homes,” Minister Burke said.

“An analysis of planning applications submitted to Dublin City Council, alone, reveals Sinn Féin representatives, including TDs and councillors, had objections or expressed concern about 5,741 homes from 2020 to 2022.

“Deputy McDonald, who represents Dublin Central, expressed concern about three developments which would deliver a combined total of 2,052 homes which are badly needed for people in her constituency.

“These included proposals for 321 shared living units at the site of Phibsborough Shopping Centre[1] and for 1,614 build to rent apartments at the former Holy Cross College on Clonliffe Road[2]. Planning applications for both projects were subsequently granted by An Bord Pleanála. She successfully objected to 117 build to rent units in Cabra[3].

“This is utter hypocrisy by the Sinn Féin leader. Clear proof they say one thing nationally but operate in a clearly different underhand manner to do their utmost to stop the supply of homes being increased during a crisis,” Minister Burke said.

“Dublin South Central TD Aengus Ó Snodaigh had objections regarding five developments including 1,102 build-to-rent residential homes at the Royal Liver Assurance Retail Park on the Old Naas Road[4]. Despite Deputy Ó’Snodaigh’s intervention, the application was granted by An Bord Pleanála.

“He also made an observation to a development on the Old Glass Factory on Dublin’s Cork Street which would deliver 377 shared living units. That application was also granted by An Bord Pleanála[5],” Minister Burke said.

A previous Fine Gael report of Sinn Féin’s voting record on housing developments in South Dublin, Dublin City and Fingal County Councils from 2018 to 2021 shows the party’s councillors objected to almost 6,000 homes across Dublin[6].

“All in all, it means Sinn Féin representatives have attempted to hinder the development of at least 11,687 homes in one form or another across Dublin,” Minister Burke said.

“The duplicitousness of the party’s approach as revealed in the Dublin City Council planning records is breath-taking and cannot be explained away with disingenuous excuses that the State alone can solve the housing crisis.

“While Sinn Féin makes a lot of noise in public and in the Dáil chamber, party councillors and TDs are really frustrating the delivery of homes and progress on the ground.

“Government is focused on continuing to ramp up supply with proposals currently being developed to help renters and keep small landlords in the housing market. More social housing was built last year than any year since 1975 with 30,000 new homes completed in 2022.

“In bringing their Dáil motion this week, perhaps Deputies Eoin Ó’Broin or Mary Lou McDonald can explain their party’s strategy of blocking housing construction and denying families and young people a real chance of owning their own home,” Minister Burke added.

[1] https://www.irishtimes.com/business/economy/sf-leader-objects-to-phibsborough-co-living-scheme-1.4486677

[2] https://www.independent.ie/regionals/dublin/dublin-news/mary-lou-mcdonald-among-objectors-to-1600-apartment-build-to-rent-development-in-her-dublin-constituency-40802647.html

[3] https://www.irishtimes.com/business/2022/06/13/mary-lou-mcdonalds-objection-to-cabra-planning-proposal-wins-out/

[4] 00818168.pdf (dublincity.ie)

[5] 00915697.pdf (dublincity.ie)

[6] SinnFein_HousingDoc.pdf (finegael.ie)