Log cabins should be built without planning permission to ease the housing crisis, Mattie McGrath has said.  

The Independent TD has said said people with space on their property should be allowed to build a temporary log cabin for themselves or their family members.

“Many of these people are not on the housing list or wouldn’t qualify.” Mr McGrath told Newstalk Breakfast, “They are prepared to not look for a house but build their own house.” 

Deputy McGrath said planning permission rules should be waived for log cabins for five to ten years.  

He said some of his constituents were asked to remove 600 to 1000 square foot log cabins from their properties.  

It “beggars belief” that local authorities are challenging residents on this, according to Mr McGrath.  

“Log cabins are a practical solution,” he said, “People are happy to have their way with all the purchases and have it erected.” 

“The jacks of a crisis” 

Mr McGrath said we need to examine this as soon possible and “not talk about it for years”.  

“We’re in the jacks of a crisis,” he said. 

He said a five-year moratorium on planning permission might be enough “to make some indent on the savage number that are out there homeless, waiting for housing”. 

“Do we want to build houses - do we want to solve the housing crisis or don’t we?"

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