In November, Sinn Féin’s Carál Ní Chuilín made public her intention as Community Minister to make changes to the Housing Executive. These proposals included the idea that the landlord arm of the Housing Executive will be allowed to borrow money off private investors and funds.
Speaking on the matter, North Belfast IRSP representative and Housing activist Tarlach Mac Dhónaill has said, “The IRSP were the first party to raise concerns that this was a ‘garden path towards privatisation’ and called on the full proposals to be released to the public for scrutiny and to allow Housing Executive tenants the right to vote on these proposals.
Until last night, these secret Housing Executive proposals were kept under wraps, with Sinn Féin claiming they will be released in due course. A motion forwarded in Belfast City Council last night calling on the opposition of privatisation of the Housing Executive was opposed and voted down by the Sinn Féin/DUP alliance.
In the ensuing debate, Sinn Féin revealed that the landlord arm of the Housing Executive is to become a ‘Not For Profit Charity’ and ‘Mutual’ which is essentially code for privatisation.”
The IRSP once again slam these latest proposals. These concerns have also been raised by tenants unions, housing right’s activists and trade unions. Privatisation of housing has created a housing crisis and an explosion in homelessness across Ireland.
Tarlach continued, “Sinn Féin are claiming that there is no attempt to privatise. If that is the case then why did they not back the motion last night to oppose the privatisation of the Housing Executive. The people have the right to know what these full proposals are and where they are going. Playing political games and swimming in muddy waters to hide is not helping concerned tenants?”
The IRSP stand with the working class, workers and our most vulnerable. It is becoming increasingly apparent that Sinn Féin and the DUP stand with big business and profit.
The IRSP stand ready and willing to oppose any attempts fully privatise public housing in the North of Ireland.
