Donegal TD brings Dáil motion to ban investment funds from buying family homes

Donegal TD Pearse Doherty brought forward a Private Members' Motion to Dáil Éireann for there to be a ban on investment funds purchasing family homes.

The Sinn Féin member spoke to Dáil Éireann, as he said: “The Government, comprising Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and the Government Independents, are prioritising the interests of developers, landlords and investment funds, at the expense of struggling workers and families.”

Deputy Doherty then called on the Government to ban investment funds from buying family homes.

He stated: “Vulture funds were invited into this country by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, and they then dusted down the red carpet for them. They were invited in to snap up homes on the cheap that should have gone to workers and families. 

“Fine Gael rolled out that red carpet and has been waiting on them hand and foot ever since. That is the reality. 

“Sinn Féin's motion is a straightforward proposal. Indeed, it is asking the Government to keep its word. It simply puts the needs of workers and families ahead of the faceless vulture funds. We are calling for a ban on these funds snapping up family homes. That is it. It is as simple as that. End this practice. That this Government has failed to do this when we are this far into a housing crisis is absolutely shameful.”

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100% Redress Party’s and fellow Donegal TD, Charles Ward expressed his support for Deputy Doherty’s motion. He said: “Housing is a right; it is not a commodity. Policy must protect people, and not investors. 

“This is not about markets or profit margins: it is about mothers, fathers, sons and daughters whose homes and futures are being sold to the highest bidder. If we cannot protect them, we are failing, the Government is failing, and society is failing. 

“The Government is talking about regeneration. We need action, not regeneration. We need action now.”

Social Democrats TD for Dublin North-West, Rory Hearne, thanked Deputy Doherty for bringing forward the motion, and commented that it was “very disappointing to again see the Minister's failure to support a measure which could help the housing crisis.”

Deputy Hearne criticised Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil’s “absolutely pathetic delivery of affordable housing.”

He said: “In 2024, for example, the total Local Authority affordable purchase houses delivered was 772. Dublin City Council, in my own constituency, delivered 12 local authority affordable purchase homes.; Donegal County Council, not one; Galway City Council, not one; Kerry County Council, not one; Kildare County Council, not one; Offaly, Roscommon and Sligo county councils, not one.

“I only have the figures for the first three quarters of 2025. Dublin City Council went from 12 to none. Donegal County Council still did not deliver one affordable home. Deputy Doherty is lacking in affordable housing there.”

In response to Deputy Doherty’s motion, the Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, John Cummins, said:” I reassert the Government's commitment and determination to tackle the challenges that exist in our housing sector. We understand the need to ensure that sufficient numbers of homes are delivered, be they social, affordable or private, and that is why we are working tirelessly to address the blockages that exist and to implement policies that make a positive difference to supply.

“While there is still much to do, the motion initiated this evening by Sinn Féin Deputies does not fairly represent the efforts and progress made to date. The Government has, therefore, tabled a counter-motion to reflect its position and the positive actions that continue to be taken. 

“It is important that I reiterate the real progress that has been made in recent years, as outlined by the Minister, Deputy James Browne, in his opening statement, including those relating to social and affordable housing delivery, and to set out the key changes introduced and our plans ahead to scale up the supply of housing across all tenure types.”