Doherty elected Vice Chair of new European Housing Committee

MEP for Dublin, Regina Doherty, was today elected as a Vice Chair of the new European Parliament Housing Committee.

In this key influential leadership role she will shape the committee’s agenda to ensure its work delivers practical solutions to the housing challenges faced in Ireland and across Europe.

Speaking after her appointment, Doherty said “The people of Dublin made it loud and clear to me during the elections that they wanted Europe to do more on housing.

“The role as Vice Chair will enable me to ensure that Europe delivers concrete and actionable solutions to the housing challenges we face in Ireland.

“I will soon begin meeting with key figures from the construction industry in Ireland to explore how the EU can best support Ireland in increasing the supply of much-needed housing.

“Alongside my European colleagues, we will take the best practice solutions from right across Europe to address Ireland’s housing challenges and implement effective strategies that deliver real results.

“It’s crucial for the committee to push for increased investment in up-skilling and re-skilling our professionals in the construction sector.

“There are areas we have shortages of tradespeople like electricians, plumbers, and engineers and this must be addressed.

“The committee must also focus on dedicated housing to meet the needs of our ageing population, providing older people with the option of right-sizing.

“The housing crisis is not just limited to Dublin or Ireland, it’s prevalent in varying degrees right across the European Union.

“The European Union exists to make its citizens lives better and increasing home ownership is soon to be a big part of that.”