It is highly inappropriate that the Minister for Housing is attending an international property conference in France this week aimed at enticing more vulture funds to Ireland, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne.
Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said:
“It is extremely disappointing that the Minister did not heed my call on him to cancel his attendance at this year’s Marché International des Professionels de l’Immoblier in Cannes. Instead, he has the brass neck to issue a press release highlighting the fact that he is leading the Irish delegation at the conference – courtesy of the Irish taxpayer and a number of large developers who are sponsoring the Ireland Pavilion at this exclusive event.
“Essentially, the minister will be using the conference to send out the message to international investor funds and institutional landlords that Ireland offers an opportunity to set rents at whatever level they want – and then reset them to market rates every six years.
“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. Yet again, it shows that this government’s only solution to the housing crisis is to continue bringing in vulture funds to buy up Irish homes and turn them into financial assets.
“Instead of rubbing shoulders with rich investor fund managers at a glitzy event in Cannes, Minister Browne should be focusing on delivering more social and affordable homes in Ireland. His attendance at this conference is further evidence that when it comes to pursuing flawed housing policy, this government is again doubling down on failure.”
March 9, 2026