Aontú's Dublin Bay South byelection candidate has launched her campaign accusing the two main Government parties of allowing a "David versus Goliath battle" between tenants and investment funds that own rental properties.
Mairéad Tóibín, the sister of party leader Peadar Tóibín, made her remarks as housing continues to be the main issue dominating the campaign ahead of polling day on July 8th.
She claimed that what she described as the "Fianna Fáil/Fine Gael housing market" is pitting families against real estate investment funds (REITs).Ms Tóibín accused the rival parties of "creating a tenant class the likes that has been not been seen it Ireland since landlord times."
She said international property investors get tax advantages and highlighted a proposed new legislation from Aontú aimed at ending this.
Ms Tóibín said the Bill would “delete the unfair advantages that REITs enjoy that exempt these international investors from tax liability and which are directly costing Irish people the chance to own their own home.”
