Three housing proposals, including RPZ extension, to go to Cabinet
The Government had flagged that emergency legislation would be brought forward this week to quickly introduce rent caps to a fifth of tenancies not already covered.
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It is expected that the rent controls will be extended to around a dozen counties where they are not already in place by the summer.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin (left) and Paul Reid, then-CEO of the HSE, in 2021 (Brian Lawless/PA)
Two other measures will also be brought to Cabinet by Housing Minister James Browne.
Former HSE chief executive Paul Reid is to be named as chairman of An Coimisiun Pleanala, which will replace An Bord Pleanala, in a memo to establish the body that is to be brought to Cabinet.
It is understood that the overhaul of the State's planning authority aims to provide more certain timelines for planning decisions as well as a 'cultural reset'.
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The third measure will see Mr Browne ask Cabinet to agree to expand the role of the Land Development Agency to enable it to secure additional housing supply.
This will enable it to activate urban brownfield sites and allow for better land transfer powers when it comes to underused State lands, it is understood.
The housing and planning measures come a week after the Government announced a swathe of rent and tenancy reforms.
Mr Browne, who admitted that rents in Ireland are 'way too high', said the measures would give renters 'greater certainty' and would attract new investment in rental accommodation.
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They included the extension nationwide of the rent pressure zone (RPZ) system – areas of high demand where rent increases are capped at inflation or 2%, whichever is lower.
Rent increases in new developments will be capped only by inflation in an attempt to boost Ireland's apartment supply, Mr Browne said.
Other rental reforms will kick in from March 1 2026: the offer of six-year-minimum rolling tenancies and a ban on no-fault evictions for large landlords, defined as having four or more tenancies.
The opposition has criticised the proposals as 'a recipe for rocketing rents', particularly a measure that sees rents 'reset' to the market rate when a tenant voluntarily leaves a six-year-minimum tenancy.
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A joint-opposition motion on housing and homelessness, which will be voted on on Tuesday, calls for the introduction of a no-fault eviction ban and greater use of compulsory purchase orders to 'bring empty homes back into use'.
The motion is being proposed by Sinn Féin, Labour, the Social Democrats, People Before Profit, the Green Party and Independents.
A Raise the Roof protest will be held outside Leinster House to coincide with the opposition motion.
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Rhyl Journal
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Irish premier welcomes trade deal between EU and US
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Scottish Sun
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John Swinney ‘could be in danger of losing his Holyrood constituency seat' if people vote tactically
The First Minister is facing a renewed challenge from veteran Tory Murdo Fraser next year SWINNERS & LOSERS John Swinney 'could be in danger of losing his Holyrood constituency seat' if people vote tactically Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) JOHN Swinney could be in danger of losing his Holyrood constituency seat if people vote tactically, a top pollster has claimed. The First Minister is facing a renewed challenge from veteran Tory Murdo Fraser in Perthshire North next year. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 The First Minister could be in danger of losing his Holyrood constituency seat if people vote tactically, a top pollster claims Credit: Michael Schofield 2 Analysis professional Mark Diffley thinks if voters snub Reform UK and Labour and cast ballots for Mr Fraser then Mr Swinney's 4,053 majority could be in jeopardy Credit: jo hanley 2020 And analysis professional Mark Diffley reckons if voters snub Reform UK and Labour and cast ballots for Mr Fraser then Mr Swinney's 4,053 majority could be in peril. Mr Diffley, of the Diffley Partnership, said: 'Tactical voting is a possibility but the Labour and Lib Dem vote shares in this seat in 2021 were negligible. 'Reform might expect to do well here and are likely to eat into Tory votes which makes the job easier for the SNP. 'The SNP took almost 50 per cent of the vote in 2021 and polls indicate that their vote share has fallen by around 15 points since, which might bring this seat into play.' Mr Fraser will be taking on Mr Swinney for a seventh time. He polled 15,807 votes compared to the First Minister's 19,860 in 2021, while Labour got 2,324. The Tory challenger said: 'Nigel Farage has already said he isn't worried about giving the SNP another five years in power. That should terrify every supporter of the Union living in John Swinney's backyard. 'If pro-UK voters in Perthshire want to deliver a verdict on the SNP leader being at the heart of 18 years of nationalist failure, then they must vote for me. 'I will be taking that message to local voters who are sick and tired of the SNP's continual focus on fringe issues, rather than delivering on the real priorities of the people.' Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay has said Mr Fraser has a 'realistic' chance of winning the seat. In his conference speech last month, he said: 'The SNP will do everything to protect John Swinney but those seats can be in play for us. Wouldn't that be some prize? Swinney paying the price for his abysmal record.' 'Sad to see him go' - GAA fans emotional seeing Michael D Higgins attend last men's All-Ireland final as President But even if Mr Swinney loses the constituency he is still likely to be elected as a regional list MSP. Mr Diffley said Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar will be hoping his party's 'unexpected' win by new MSP Davy Russell in last month's Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election has boosted their chances of forming a government. He added: 'The SNP is far less popular than it was at the last Holyrood election and polls show low support for the government's performance across key policy issues. 'But Labour has not capitalised on that and the national polls point, at this stage, to the likelihood of the SNP being re-elected next year. 'Many voters are disillusioned with both the UK and Scottish governments which partly explains the rise of Reform and the likelihood that they will do well next year.' Reform and Labour confirmed they will be standing in every seat but their candidates for Perthshire North have yet to be announced. A Scottish Labour spokeswoman said: 'Scotland has been badly failed by both the SNP and the Tories, and Scottish Labour will be fighting to win in every part of the country. 'Only Scottish Labour can get rid of this incompetent SNP government and deliver a new direction.' The SNP did not respond to our request for comment.
Western Telegraph
37 minutes ago
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Irish premier welcomes trade deal between EU and US
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