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2019 Nicola Sturgeon And Simon Coveney Rent Freezes Are Not The
Vow To Strengthen Scottish-Irish Links
13th, bonds” between Scotland and Ireland, as a review was set up Solution To High Prices Says
Nicola Sturgeon has vowed to strengthen the “deep
November to develop the relationship.
The First Minister made the comments as she met deputy
The joint bilateral review will look at how the nations can
| Tánaiste Simon Coveney in Edinburgh on Wednesday. Varadkar
work together over the next five years in areas including
EXAMINER business and the economy, as well as in developing academ-
ic and research links.
It will also consider what collaborative work can be car-
IRISH ried out to help the rural, coastal and island communities of
both Scotland and Ireland.
Following the meeting, Ms Sturgeon said: “Ireland and
Scotland already enjoy close political, economic, communi-
ty and cultural ties, but we are committed to strengthening
those deep bonds.
“The Scottish-Irish health forum is an example of a collab-
oration which shares mutual challenges and solutions, and
there is scope to collaborate across key policy areas that
have the potential for greater rewards that will help shaping
our shared future.
“The review will aid that process by consolidating exist-
ing ties in a new international environment and unlocking
the relationship’s further potential.”
Mr Coveney said he hopes the countries can take their
relationship to a “new level” in the coming months.
He said: “Ireland and Scotland have ancient links. At the
same time, ours is a vibrant, modern, forward-looking rela- ents in rhe country of people are trapped in this less new supply.”
tionship, grounded in shared values and common interests. are “very high” but high rent and misery. Surely it He said rent pressure zones
“Over the coming months we are doing something new Rrent freezes are not is now time for the introduced in December 2016
together, and through the review I hope we can take our the answer, Leo Varadkar Government to consider a that prevent a landlord
relationship to a new level, for the mutual benefit of the peo- has said. rent freeze given the exorbi- increasing rent by more than
ple of Ireland and Scotland.” C
According to the latest tant levels of rent that people 4% per year are working.
quarterly Rental Report by are facing.” He said the Government is
Win Tickets To See property website Daft.ie, the rent freeze and said increasing committed to building more
Mr Varadkar ruled out a
average cost of renting is
social housing and the help-
The Irish Tenors Live €1,403 per month. supply and rent controls is the to-buy scheme is helping
answer.
This marks the lowest rate
more young people buy
As a special promo- of rental inflation since the He said a rent freeze would homes.
tion for the We Three second quarter of 2013, but be “counterproductive” and He said the Daft rental
Kings Christmas Show the average monthly rent dur- could lead to “less new sup- report also showed rental
featuring The Irish ing the third quarter of 2019 ply”. inflation was starting to
Tenors with orchestra marks the 14th consecutive “I want to acknowledge decrease in Dublin.
at the NYCB Theatre quarter of record rents. that rents in Ireland are very Mr Martin said that was
at Westbury on Speaking during Leader’s high. Rents relative to “nothing to boast about” and
Saturday December Questions in the Dáil, the incomes are very high in high rents meant younger
14, we have five Taoiseach said rents are very Ireland and that is a real prob- people cannot afford to save
pairs of tickets to giveaway. high relative to people’s lem, and they have become for deposits to buy a home.
All you have to do is send us in your name, email wages but the main solution is unaffordable for a lot of peo- “You have had 14 quarters
address and postal address together with the answer increasing supply of houses ple in the country, particularly of rent increases. In 1987, a
to the following question: In what part of Ireland was and not rent freezes. in our cities,” he said. young couple would have had
Ronan Tynan born? Fianna Fáil leader Micheál “Consideration was given to pay 19% of their net annual
The first five correct answers drawn on December 1st Martin said the figures should to a rent freeze. earnings to afford a home. Go
will each win a pair of tickets. serve as a wake-up call to the Notwithstanding the constitu- to 2014 and you’re looking at
Government that their hous- tional issues that may make 30%.
Answer: ___________________________________ ing policies are not working. that impossible or even if it “In terms of a deposit, a
Name: ____________________________________ He said: “Younger people was possible. young couple back in 1987…
Street Address: _____________________________ of this country have been “And there’s a real concern 30% of their net annual earn-
City: ______________________________________ failed and failed very badly by about the unintended conse- ings… that went to 50% by
current policies. A young per-
quences of a rent freeze.
2014.
State: _____________________________________ son today is finding it is What we may see happening “This is the big issue out
Zip: ______________________________________ impossible to pay these rents in the event of a rent freeze is there. Young people are very,
Phone: ____________________________________ and young couples in particu- that supply, ultimately, if you very angry. Their parents are
e-Mail: ____________________________________ lar are finding it impossible to need to rent, you need to find very, very angry.
save deposits while paying somewhere to rent, and why “When we’re out knocking
Mail your answer to: exorbitant rents in tandem the rent freeze might work for doors and people say to you
The Irish Examiner USA, P.O. box 474, Williston with credit constraints. people who are renting ‘there are five to seven people
Park, NY 11596 “Clearly the rent controls already. in this house because our
You can also enter online at irishexaminerusa.com in existence are not working. “Because they wouldn’t see young kids can’t afford to
“Thousands and thousands their rent rise, it might cause rent’.” C