Minister says Constitution stands in the way of housing market reform

The Constitution of Ireland must be revised in order to facilitate housing market reform, according to Environment Minister Alan Kelly.

Mr Kelly told a Housing and Homeless Forum meeting yesterday that the protection of property rights under article 43 of the Constitution was an obstacle to the introduction of the Vacant Site Levy and attempts to protect tenants from eviction.

According to The Irish Times, Mr Kelly said: “I was not hampered by political or financial obstacles. I was blocked by the Constitution.

“From the time it is taking to introduce the vacant site levy to tackle land hoarding, to protecting tenants from eviction in circumstances where their landlord wishes to sell the property, and many other issues, I was repeatedly blocked from making provision for what I believed was the common good by the strength by which property rights are protected under Article 43 of the Constitution.”

He added: “We need to honestly re-examine the balance between the protected and legitimate property rights of individuals, as property owners, and the wider needs and common good of society, including housing needs. As a society we need to reflect on the desired impact of the Constitution here.”