The Minister for Housing’s planned attendance at a major international property event in France next week – aimed at wooing more investor funds to Ireland – has been branded an absolute disgrace by Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne.
Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said:
“It has been reported today that property developers will be sponsoring the Ireland Pavilion at the upmarket event in Cannes, which will showcase this country as an investment destination for funds. This is further proof that the government continues to work hand in glove with big investment funds and private developers as its only solution to tackling the housing crisis.
“It is highly inappropriate for Minister Browne to be going cap in hand to international investor funds at time when we are witnessing eviction levels In Ireland not seen since the Famine. Instead of shaking the bucket in front of corporate landlords, the government should be concentrating on ramping up the delivery of affordable and social homes.
“We will never solve the housing crisis as long as the government keeps rolling out the red carpet for international investor funds. Regrettably, the Department of Housing’s participation in next week’s event signals there will be no change in policy under this administration.
“Yet again, it shows that the minister’s only solution to the housing crisis is to continue bringing in investor funds to buy up Irish homes and turn them into financial assets.
“We don’t need more vulture fund real estate investors – we need to leverage the billions sitting in Irish bank accounts to build more social and affordable homes, as proposed by the Social Democrats.
“By participating in next week’s event, the government will effectively be acting as market agent for investor vulture funds, selling Ireland’s housing future to global investor landlords. This is nothing less than a shocking breach of the State/private market relationship.
“I am therefore calling on the Minister for Housing not to travel to Cannes next week.”
March 5, 2026