Dáil debates

Wednesday, 22 November 2017

12:20 pm

Photo of Mick BarryMick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity) | Oireachtas source

Last week was the week when the mask slipped and the honeymoon ended. We were told homelessness numbers were low, that homelessness was normal, that the homeless were to blame for being homeless. It was cold, calculated, to some extent co-ordinated, and deeply cynical. The people looked and saw the defenders of the system insulting the victims of the system and they did not like what they saw. Let us see how the Taoiseach does on the issue this week. If homelessness is a monster, this afternoon it is growling outside the doors of 23 households at the Leeside apartment complex in Cork city. The new owners of the apartments have issued them all with notices to quit. The new owner, Lugus Capital, does not attempt to hide its support for social cleansing. Its website boasts "On acquiring buildings, we completely refurbish them to a high standard, before re-letting with a focus on attracting young professional tenants." Sherry FitzGerald reckons this approach could increase rental income at Leeside apartments by €300,000 a year. Lugus Capital is the Irish manager for the Larea Fa Fund Li DAC which is ultimately owned by Bain Capital. Bain Capital, founded by former US Republican presidency candidate, Mitt Romney, mentioned more than once in the Paradise Papers, is one of the largest vulture funds on the planet. Residents who live in this apartment complex include many young families with kids going to local schools. One of them has received a notice to quit for 20 December. Another has received a notice to quit for 30 December. One of them had a notice to quit sellotaped to their front door. Threshold reports that up and down the country profiteering landlords are using substantial refurbishment as the excuse to get rid of tenants, hike rents and get new tenants in.

I have three questions for the Taoiseach. Will he ensure his Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government does not just address this loophole, but closes it in such a way that the residents of Leeside apartments and others like them are fully protected? When will this legislation be introduced? These families cannot afford to wait. Will he join with me and tell the House and the residents who are here in the Public Gallery that the actions of this vulture fund are completely and utterly unacceptable?

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