Water failings the latest target in blame game over housing supply

Good morning.

Government inaction, ideological rigidity, planning logjams, nimbyism, bureaucratic bungling, inadequate utilities – the blame game for the housing crisis is a lengthy one. But with the focus increasingly on the unavailability of water and power connections, Jack Horgan-Jones reports this morning on a stinging rebuke for Uisce Éireann. He reports that the State’s utilities regulator has sharply criticised Uisce Éireann over its failure to report on critical metrics relating to the water supply, leakage and sewer incidents. The Commission for Regulation of Utilities told the State’s water utility that it was “very concerned” about its failure to report these metrics for 2022 and “that concern is now increased by a lack of reporting… on these metrics for 2023”. The criticisms are laid out in a letter sent on Wednesday. Water – and power – connections are increasingly seen as a factor in housing delays. Though it’s far from clear anyone has a clear idea what to do about it. Jack’s story is here.

Meanwhile, on our business pages, there are warnings of looming supply constraints in housing.

Collapsing cottages, sky-high prices

Still with housing – sort of – and Olivia Kelly reports in our lead story this morning that the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) is in line for a €23 million windfall through the imminent sale of its Dublin 6 property portfolio, which includes the derelict Victorian terrace which partially collapsed on Monday. This is despite failing to pay €140,000 owed to Dublin City Council in derelict site levies on the terrace of five late 19th-century houses. Great lads, altogether.

Munster Technological University cyberattack response cost €3.5m, PAC told

Minister not willing to ‘recommend’ candidate without policing experience for Garda Commissioner job

Practicality rather than divisions behind front-bench reshuffle, Social Democrats say

Giveaways - or not

It’s a bit early for budgetary jockeying. But there’s something going on alright. Yesterday we reported junior minister Neale Richmond warning that planned tax cuts could be cancelled if there is no US-EU trade deal.

In the Dáil, Mary Lou McDonald demanded a cost of living packag e from the Taoiseach. He, along with Simon Harris, Paschal Donohoe and Jack Chambers, has previously ruled out a repeat of previous one-off giveaways. In the Dáil, however, he indicated that there might be welfare increases and some tax measures to help with cost of living pressures. What’s going on here?

German rearmament

Meanwhile, the revolution in Germany’s attitude to foreign and security policy as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues. New chancellor Friedrich Merz addressed the Bundestag yesterday and said he would build the strongest army in Europe, promising that the armed forces would get “all the financial resources required”. We haven’t heard a German leader speak like this since ... well, never mind, but it promises a huge change in the EU’s capabilities – and attitudes – on such matters. That cannot leave Ireland untouched. Derek Scally’s report is here.

Best reads

Interesting perspective as ever from Newton Emerson on votes for northerners in presidential elections.

Mark Hennessy reports on the enduring sense of separateness between the two main communities in Northern Ireland.

Peace talks in Istanbul today will not include the Russian president.

And back to housing: Lorcan Sirr on how local authorities are not doing anything like enough to build social housing.

Playbook

Thursday is the quiet day in Leinster House with many TDs skedaddling outta the place early. It’s the Tánaiste’s day for Leaders’ Questions but he’s in Brussels so Helen McEntee will be in the hot seat at noon. There’s oral PQs for the housing and justice ministers before that and statements on the CAP afterwards.

It’s even quieter in the Seanad, where the highlight of the day is “statements to mark mental health awareness week”.

A few more committees are getting things going, including the Public Accounts Committee.

The full Oireachtas schedule, such as it is, is here.

As mentioned above, Simon Harris is in Brussels for a meeting of trade ministers, where they’ll discuss the EU-US negotiations and the EU’s potential retaliation against US tariffs. Harris is also meeting trade commissioner Maros Sefcovic. The Tánaiste is expected to highlight initial Irish sensitivities around the possible counter-measures, in particular in the aviation, MedTech and agrifood sectors. There are Irish concerns about how they would be affected by the latest proposed package of counter-measures.

Our Brussels bureau will keep you up to date on irishtimes.com.

Sign up for Politics push alerts and have the best news, analysis and comment delivered directly to your phone

Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up for the Inside Politics newsletter to get our politics team’s take direct to your inbox.