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Colm Lauder: Varadkar got a lot wrong but one day will be praised for getting housing on track

The Fine Gael leader’s property policies are appraised by out expert columnist

Leo Varadkar: Displayed an understanding of the damage rent controls have on markets. Picture: Colin Keegan

Due to a combination of Covid, government intervention, and surging base rates, the Irish residential and commercial property markets are considerably changed from when Leo Varadkar took office in June 2017.

Unlike the Enda Kenny years, much of the change in the Irish property market during Varadkar’s governments was regulatory. These changes have had a very real impact on supply, demand, prices and investment returns across the residential, commercial and alternative sectors.

The changes were, ...