'We got it wrong' - Taoiseach says inflated pre-election housing figures were a 'genuine belief at the time'

Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael faced backlash after the Central Statistics Office revealed only 30,330 homes were built last year, contradicting earlier claims of nearly 40,000 by Taoiseach Simon Harris. He stated the figure was provided in good faith by former housing minister Darragh O'Brien. Taoiseach Micheál Martin admitted the government miscalculated and expressed regret over the discrepancy, explaining it was not intentional. He also mentioned ongoing evaluations related to Rent Pressure Zones and the uncertain nature of future housing projections while addressing the anticipated visit to the White House for St. Patrick’s Day.

Both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael were accused of misleading the public regarding housing completions, as the actual figures fell significantly short of earlier claims.

The Taoiseach acknowledged that there was a genuine belief that 40,000 homes would be built, but admitted that they ultimately got the figures wrong.

Read at Irish Independent