Eoghan Murphy has responded.
Minister for Housing Eoghan Murphy has spoken out on Twitter after representatives for Labour, Fianna Fáil, the Greens and Sinn Féin, as well as independents, tore into him over comments on co-living today.
The Fine Gael TD had said it was “exciting” that young people had the option of co-living — the most high profile example of which is currently Bartra Capital’s Dun Laoghaire proposal.
As things stand, the proposed Bartra Capital development would match the current average rent costs in Ireland (€1,300 per month). At 16.5m squared, the apartments are smaller than the recommended size of a disabled parking space. The plans would also see 41 people share one kitchen on each floor.
Murphy has sought to justify the practice by saying: “CoLiving is one option as part of bringing greater choice into the housing market. Works in other cities across world. We wouldn’t judge concept of houses on one planning app. & should not do that here.”
Murphy further tried to paint the criticism of having 40 people share a kitchen while paying thousands to live in a tiny apartment as “politicians trying to restrict choice for younger generations,” and called it “wrong.”
Objectively, choice is currently restricted by rents being €300 higher on average than their 2008 peak, and an estimated shortfall of 450,000 apartments across Ireland, and 200,000 in Dublin alone, according to the Irish Times.
CoLiving is one option as part of bringing greater choice into the housing market. Works in other cities across world.
We wouldn’t judge concept of houses on one planning app. & should not do that here.
Politicians trying to restrict choice for younger generations is wrong.
— Eoghan Murphy (@MurphyEoghan) May 21, 2019
Murphy’s response has bought him very little sympathy, and has already racked up hundreds of replies, but just one retweet.
Have you fallen off a swing and banged your head or something?
— PJ Gallagher (@pjgallagher) May 21, 2019
Child slavery is one option for maximising productivity and profit. Politicians trying to restrict choice for younger generations is wrong. https://t.co/f3aQaUh4y5
— Paul Murphy 🏳️⚧️ (@paulmurphy_TD) May 21, 2019
Hey bud, I don't think you're quite grasping the concept of "choice." https://t.co/vJpIlL85yf
— Jessica Flynn (@roflcopterftw) May 21, 2019
Just fucking resign. https://t.co/z8f3HyA2z7
— Philip O'Connor (@philipoconnor) May 21, 2019
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