The Housing Minister is insisting that people across Ireland understand that you can’t fix the housing crisis overnight – “or even in four years”.
You can keep up to date with all the General Election results throughout the weekend through Newstalk’s live blog and video stream.
Despite housing becoming one of the standout campaign issues, outgoing Fianna Fáil Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien has been re-elected.
"Very serious issue"
“Housing is still a very serious issue,” Darragh O’Brien told Newstalk.
“I was able to talk to people about it and remind the people about the progress that we have made - we want to accelerate that.
“[We have] more first-time buyers now, 500 a week buying their homes with the schemes that we've brought in, affordable homes for the first time in a generation, and a really good pipeline of social homes.
“That said, though, we honestly engaged with people in this regard and the vast majority of people realise it's not something you can fix overnight, or even, indeed, in four years, but have acknowledged the progress that's happening."
Deputy O’Brien said the part acknowledges there are still issues “around affordability, unquestionably”, but he believes voters did their research and measured Fianna Fáil’s housing plans to be better than “what others were proposing”.
“There was an acknowledgement of progress, but also acknowledgement that it's a tough job,” he said.
“I think, in fairness, the people of my constituents are very kind to me in that regard.
“I have to say the campaign and the doors, people were very courteous.
“They had their points - the Irish electorate are, you know, well read, well read into policies too and aren't, you know, necessarily just taken by the last you know, populist pronouncement, either.”
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Deputy O’Brien said the party have listened to people “about real situations” and “concerns”.
“[People were] talking about their sons and daughters and how they can buy homes, and we were able to explain what we’ve done and how we’re going to accelerate that,” he said.
Deputy O’Brien was hopeful to see Fingal East Fine Gael candidate Alan Farrell take the third seat for the constituency, but it is looking unlikely now with Sinn Féin’s Anne Graves and Labour’s Duncan Smith coming in higher on the counts and transfers.
Newstalk reporters will be at count centres around Ireland bringing you all the results as they come in.
We will also be running election specials throughout the day, and you can follow all the action on our live blog and on our social channels.
Main image: Darragh O’Brien. 05/03/2021 Photograph: Leon Farrell / RollingNews.ie
