Analysis: O’Brien needs to act to make sure Mullen Park does not happen again and again

The Minister for Housing will not want to scare off property investment funds entirely but he must find a way to redress the balance so that home ownership is not out of reach for so many

Darragh O’Brien, the Minister for Housing, brought forward his own private members bill in 2019 when he was in opposition requiring 30 per cent of all housing in new developments to be ring-fenced for first-time buyers. Picture: Rollingnews.ie

When Darragh O’Brien was in opposition, he was very critical of so-called “cuckoo funds”. This is the unflattering nickname for investment funds which swoop in and buy an entire housing development ahead of first-time buyers looking to make their own nests.

As Fianna Fáil housing spokesman, O’Brien went so far as to bring forward his own private members bill in 2019 requiring 30 per cent of all housing in new developments to be ring-fenced for ...