Housing

John Walsh: Beware the flight of the ‘accidental’ landlord under a Sinn Féin government

If it finds itself in power after the next election, Sinn Féin plans to introduce German-style protection for tenants, and while this may lead to more houses available to buy, it will mean properties available to rent becoming even more scarce

Mary Lou McDonald, Sinn Féin president and Pearse Doherty, finance spokesperson: the party’s proposals for the rental sector would mean power tilting in the direction of the tenant rather than the landlord. Picture: Sam Boal/RollingNews.ie

The contours of the next general election were clearly delineated in the Robert Troy saga. Unfortunately for the coalition parties, it looks like they are on the wrong side of public opinion.

As far as scandals go, Troy’s transgressions were on the relatively mild end of the spectrum, compared to what has been tolerated in the past in Leinster House and indeed, what currently passes for ethics in Westminster. Overall, it is a positive step ...