How might the following proposals have helped to keep a cap on the horrendous housing boom which is at the root of many of our current economic problems

A National Housing Strategy and a National Housing Agency to co-ordinate all aspects of housing provision (no ghost estates, building houses when they needed, where they are needed)

Increased and sustained funding of local authorities in the 26 counties to provide housing with a target of supplying suitable accommodation within two years for 70 per cent of applicants on the waiting lists. (stopping local authorities from completely exiting the housing market, which left it at the mercy of speculative developers)

An increase in Capital Gains Tax on speculative owners of multiple dwellings, introduced on a phased basis over two years (hammering speculators)

A statutory ceiling on the price of land zoned for housing to stop speculation and reduce soaring house prices. Compulsory Purchase Orders on landowners sitting on land banks and derelict property. (hammering speculators)

Direct community involvement in planning for housing. Legislation to ensure that social needs are incorporated in all housing schemes from the earliest stage. (better planning, no ghost estates)

Rent control in the private rented sector and enforcement of enhanced legislative protection for tenants. (a complete no brainer, in line with what most of Europe do to ensure affordable rented accomodation, and increasing employment mobility)

A Government fund to provide capital loans for universities and third-level institutions to facilitate the development of purpose-built student accommodation. (taking students out of the paws of greedy landlords)

Dr.Shephard (Leitrim) - Posts: 2187 - 09/10/2010 10:47:09    793078

Thet're fair enough points but you wouldn't have won an election with that manifesto in the late 90's onwards.

The simple fact of the matter was that the country lost the run of itself from greedy bankers who couldn't tolerate the other gang getting a piece of the action to greedy homeowners who regarded the paper equity on their homes as some kind of ATM. When things were good no one gave the time of day to the prudent lenders and borrowers.

Its easy to be wise in retrospect and I'm not doubting your good intentions but the horse has bolted and the stable door is being used to block up the entrance to some half finished estate in Carrick on Shannon.

caughtredhanded (Tyrone) - Posts: 602 - 09/10/2010 12:18:37    793111

Those were proposals put forward by Sinn Fein about 5 or 6 years ago.
But then again Sinn Fein haven't a clue according to most people.
they were the only party to forsee the disaster that has since unfolded.

Dr.Shephard (Leitrim) - Posts: 2187 - 09/10/2010 12:28:47    793116

Dr.Shephard
County: Leitrim
Posts: 1693

793116 Those were proposals put forward by Sinn Fein about 5 or 6 years ago.
But then again Sinn Fein haven't a clue according to most people.
they were the only party to forsee the disaster that has since unfolded.

Wheter they have a clue or not is a matter of opinion, the fact is people in the south don't vote for them in any great numbers so their proposals whether good or bad wont be implemented.

What does the crystal ball see for the next 5 or 6 years or more to the point what will the standings be after the next general election.

dhorse (Laois) - Posts: 11374 - 09/10/2010 13:16:56    793134

I know hindsight is great but would you not agree that had these proposals been adopted that it would have went some way to reducing the damage that has been done?

I know things were going well then and people didn't want to hear about things like that but at least someone had their eye on the ball.

In order to get out of this mess I think that any idea put forward should be taken on its merits and good ideas should be used to help alleviate the current situation regardless of where they come from.

We are not in a position to scoff at good ideas just because SF or anyone else has come forward with them.

Even if FF were to dress up other parties good ideas and present them as their own I wouldn't be overly bothered (perhaps just a little annoyed) if it was for the good of the country.

Dr.Shephard (Leitrim) - Posts: 2187 - 09/10/2010 13:47:44    793151

Dr shephard

Is it not funny how everyone bar a few castigated SinnFein for these proposals. And obviously few voters took heed, I believe if the Electorate in the republic were to be given a second chance with the hindsight now available they still would not vote for these proposals. Even yet most people will condemn SinnFein as being economically inept. Ineptitude might have actually secured a future for our country.

derryman (Derry) - Posts: 3246 - 09/10/2010 13:54:28    793156

Every political party foresaw the disaster.

Those responsible for the disaster, big unregulated businesses, also pay loads of money to the political parties which is why they do not mention their fears.

As for we should have, there are some people only now catching on to what is happening in Mayo and the pipe line...........

patrique (Antrim) - Posts: 13709 - 09/10/2010 13:58:10    793159

patrique
County: Antrim
Posts: 9885

793159 Every political party foresaw the disaster.

Those responsible for the disaster, big unregulated businesses, also pay loads of money to the political parties which is why they do not mention their fears.

As for we should have, there are some people only now catching on to what is happening in Mayo and the pipe line...........


Apart form those in the gas industry of course, might be a classic example of not being able to see the wood for the trees.

dhorse (Laois) - Posts: 11374 - 09/10/2010 14:25:26    793179

A country's resources should belong to its people, not a foreign company looking to make a quick buck.

Scruffy2Donut (Cavan) - Posts: 1112 - 09/10/2010 20:25:08    793378

Scruffy2Donut
County: Cavan
Posts: 927

793378

Wrong thread. There's a thread on the Corrib gas line

Dr.Shephard (Leitrim) - Posts: 2187 - 09/10/2010 20:33:55    793385

Dr.Shephard
County: Leitrim
Posts: 1695

There is indeed a thread on the Corrib gas line, I dont doubt that for one second, but its been mentioned here in a few posts, and I simply felt my response was justified.

Scruffy2Donut (Cavan) - Posts: 1112 - 09/10/2010 21:29:20    793431

Dr.Shephard
County: Leitrim
Posts: 1695

But anyway, to talk about the issue at hand, there is no point in saying we should have done this, we should have done that. What we need are people saying we will do this and we will do that. From what I can see in the points you listed, it would mean over regulation of the building industry, potentially crippling it. The government was just as much to blame for the recklessness that prevailed during the boom years as anyone in the banking or construction sector. You see, they created an artificial demand amongst the people for a product which nobody needed. How did they do this? They gave the banks a free hand to lend limitless amounts of money. This kept the developers happy but there was still a problem. So the developers approached their best buddies in FF and asked them to put money in peoples pockets, thus allowing them to afford the houses they were building. Bertie decided to bring in benchmarking. Now public servants could buy not just one house, but two, maybe three. And Bertie kept telling people "the days of owning one house are over, you now need two or more". And people fell for it. Next in line for a rise in income was the low wage worker. The minimum wage was brought up and up and up, until some companies had to shut up shop and leave for eastern europe.

Rant over, and I forget what thread this is even supposed to be on.

Scruffy2Donut (Cavan) - Posts: 1112 - 09/10/2010 21:41:19    793443

I've the house in London almost paid off, a bungalow in the Beskidy mountains in Poland, paid off and a place in ardboe waiting for me when I make enough coin to hang up the work belt in Sassanach, life is good. The secret is i worked hard at a real job, like a real working class man, not like the people at home who expected money to be handed to them or got ideas above their station and decided to pretend to be yuppies. Its a mess and I am considering going home with my hefty savings and taking advantage.

CheFinny (UK) - Posts: 1358 - 10/10/2010 13:37:24    793570

CheFinny
County: UK
Posts: 1018

Stay where you are, the Irish people are no longer going to be taken for fools. Once Enda becomes Taoiseach, honesty and decency will be restored to our political scene.

Scruffy2Donut (Cavan) - Posts: 1112 - 10/10/2010 17:34:50    793689

I think if you feel the need to boast about your 'hefty savings' and the fact you have a girlfriend to strangers on an Internet forum these savings mightn't in fact be so hefty and the girlfriend might be of the imaginary variety. Chefinny bless is living in his own wee fantasy World

pplocal (Tyrone) - Posts: 5878 - 10/10/2010 17:50:09    793707

lol pomeroy was thinkin the same thing

stranmillis29 (Antrim) - Posts: 788 - 10/10/2010 18:35:55    793748