Seanad debates

Thursday, 3 July 2025

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

 

2:00 am

Aubrey McCarthy (Independent)

I voice concern on behalf of Irish businesses facing complete uncertainty regarding the US Administration revisiting tariffs and potentially imposing tariffs as high as 10%. They are to be imposed on all EU imports within days. From dairy farmers to distillers, vital sectors of the Irish community are bracing themselves for impact without any clarity as to what is coming. The recent Government trade forum regrettably yielded more heat than light. It shows we need actionable diplomacy rather than reactive dialogue. We must ensure that seasoned negotiators, not just diplomats, represent Ireland in these trade agreements. It has been said in this House before that we should focus on what we can control. That is diversifying our export markets, investing in supply chains and supporting the affected industries. The Minister, Deputy Donohoe, has noted that economic growth is still expected but we feel it is not at the pace the Irish people deserve. Ireland cannot afford to be passive in this. We have to act swiftly and with a sense of togetherness. Tariff uncertainty must not paralyse the policies we already have or were planned. Yesterday, I received a briefing from the Banking and Payments Federation Ireland. It painted a stark and deeply concerning picture of our housing structure. In 2008, we built 78,000 units of housing, backed by €41 billion in capital. However, today we are managing to build just 38,000 units, backed by €13 billion in capital. Investment in apartment construction has collapsed. I listened to the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, on the news on the way in and he admitted that apartments are an area of consideration. It seems private capital flow has more or less stopped. The implications are stark. We are not only questioning our housing targets; we are missing them. At the root of this problem, as I have brought up at the housing committee, is a planning system that is riddled with uncertainties and infrastructure that fails to adapt to the urgent reality. We really need to start treating this as an emergency, with local authorities receiving the allocations that were promised on 16 May.

We also need immediate intervention in the housing supply pipeline, which should support builders that build 50 units or fewer with not only mentoring but also improved access to capital. The approved housing bodies need to make sure their limited supply of capital is enhanced. That will empower housing delivery. Words and targets are not enough. We need decisive action and long-term commitment. Our people deserve better.

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