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The Irish Sun

Time to wield an axe on rotten system hindering housing crisis – my drastic solution would fix this national emergency

4 A GOVERNMENT incapable of doing very much is the greatest threat to democracy. Whether it's because they are useless at their jobs or the system is so damned rotten that progress can be measured in snail slides is debatable. Advertisement Truth be told, it's probably a dollop of both. But the perpetual inefficiency at the heart of The Electoral Commission published a study on Monday which revealed that a substantial cohort of voters are disillusioned with politics. One in eight who didn't vote at the last Advertisement Read more on Damien Lane The Commission didn't reveal the ages of those who feel this way, but I'd bet a dollar that the long-in-the-tooth and those starting out on adult life make up the majority of the people fed up to the gills with the entire charade politics has become I've always been a political animal. Since I was a kid, I was fascinated by elections and the processes that made democracy what it is. The demonstration of the will of the people is a powerful thing. But as the years went by, and the same two tired tribes (FF and FG) dominated at the top, the passion for politics I once had in abundance has evaporated to the point where deep cynicism has taken root. It's not that I don't trust politicians, I do. Advertisement Most read in The Irish Sun They try their level best to do their bit for their country. Of course they do. It's just they are largely unable to achieve much because they are forced to operate in a system designed to stymie their efforts at every turn. Sinn Fein housing spokesman Eoin O Broin reacts to record number of homeless people The lack of progress at a time in Irish history where rapid progress is required speaks to how the state works, or rather doesn't work. Taoiseach Advertisement But, despite sitting at the top of the tree, he's unable to do much about it. The bad news on the housing front just continues to roll in. BROKEN PROMISE Housing completions last year were just 30,000, way short of the 40,000 the previous government promised. The number of homes started this year is EIGHT TIMES lower than the same period last year and now at its lowest level since 2016. Advertisement Just 3,945 notices to build have been lodged in the first four months of 2025. Over the same period last year, 30,689 notices to build were lodged. What the hell is going on? How has it fallen off the cliff? The Department of Pull the other one. Advertisement 'HOUSING DELIVERY GOING BACKWARDS' Eoin O'Broin, Rory Hearne, the Abandon hope, all ye who enter The main obstacle to getting anything built is the unreformable Planning Board and a system that rewards naysayers and NIMBY busybodies. Advertisement An Bord Pleanala (to give it its Irish name) works to the Victorian clock. They pontificate for years and have a say in everything from the extension in your back garden to the building of a metro system for the capital. SIMPLE SOLUTION The simple solution to chronic infrastructural deficit would be to declare a national emergency and take An Bord Pleanala out of the equation entirely. The power to grant planning permissions in vital sectors such as housing, transport, climate and energy would be given to a powerful infrastructure committee in the Dail, made up of experts in building things and chaired by a minister whose sole remit would be infrastructure. Until they do something really radical in the area of planning, delays, cost-overruns and missed targets will continue to plague this and future governments. Advertisement It's time to wield the axe. But have they got it in them? They are currently devising a new housing plan (more bloody plans). It'll be full of actions and statements of resolve. There'll be a load of new Task Forces too, no doubt. Plenty of hand-wringing, in other words. And they wonder why all the kids are leaving the country. And why more and more people are turning off politics for good. Advertisement NO MATCH FOR GARY But Sunday night's show will be Lineker's last. 4 Gary Lineker is a fan favorite on Match of the Day Credit: BBC He quit the hugely popular BBC programme on Monday, less than a week after apologising for sharing a controversial post on social media which saw him accused of antisemitism. Advertisement Lineker, 64, faced a storm of abuse after The ex-England striker maintained he never noticed the rat emoji when he reposted the link. By then, however, the damage was done. He's spent 26 years at the A pal said: 'Gary remains passionate about speaking out over perceived injustices in the world, and will continue to call out things that he believes to be wrong. Advertisement 'He will be able to speak without the shackles of the non-partisan BBC, and has already had a lot of offers.' He won't be shy of a bob or two, but Match of the Day audiences will fall off a cliff. TRUMP IS ALL TALK But after a two-hour phone call with Advertisement 4 Donald Trump has yet to fulfil his peace promise Credit: AP:Associated Press Trump said the Russian dictator had agreed to 'immediately' start direct negotiations with Ukraine to broker a ceasefire and peace deal. Trump went on to say the conditions would be negotiated directly between Ukraine and Russia because 'they know the details nobody else would be aware of.' Not only has Trump seemingly washed his hands of helping to end the war in Ukraine, he now wants the Pope to lead the warring parties in finding peace. Advertisement Ukraine's What does Putin have on Trump that makes him bend to his will every time? HAS SUMMER BEEN AND GONE? HAVE we had our summer? The last time Ireland enjoyed a glorious May was back in 2020 when Covid was our companion. When the rains came in June, that was it, summer 2020 was a washout. The rains have come this week and with them, the temperatures have taken a bit of a tumble. Is it time to put the shorts back in the drawer for another year? Or will the sun win the fight this time round? FINALLY, IT'S HOPE THE Boys in Green haven't qualified for a European final in nine years. It's been 23 years since Ireland graced the Advertisement We've been second-raters for quite a while, struggling to compete with Europe's heavy hitters, despite having a talented bunch of youngsters and a few experienced pros. The next Euros in 2028 will be held here as well as across the pond in Wales, Scotland and England. It would be a disaster if Ireland failed to qualify. UEFA handed manager Advertisement If we're honest, it is probably the only way we can qualify. MURDERED FARMER'S FAMILY HELL Until the gruesome discovery they had hoped that somehow Michael would turn up alive. Now it's a murder probe, they will hope the gardai can bring the killer to justice and quickly. MAKE JOE OUR PRES Well, we could do worse. 4 Joe Duffy is leaving RTE after 27 years Advertisement Joe, who is to stand down as host of RTE Radio One's Liveline The 69-year-old wants to do more painting and he may continue to write books. He'll be missed on the wireless. Joe had an uncanny ability to tap into the nation's zeitgeist. And seen as the role in Ireland is largely ceremonial, he'd make an ideal President. He'd know what the mood would be at any given time. Advertisement With Joe must be high on everybody's list.