Vulture funds are robbing many of our young people of the opportunity to ever have a home of their own in their country. The Government is still allowing these vampires to snap up properties in bulk across the State and rent them back to people at inflated prices. How can families, young couples or first-time buyers outbid these massive investment fund? They simply cannot and it is wrong, disgusting and goes against everything represented by our founding fathers whose statues look down upon us in here. The Government is failing an entire generation who are despairing, resigned, and see no future for themselves in Ireland. Who could blame them? In counties Wexford and Wicklow, grown adults are living with their parents in box rooms, forced to move back into those homes because they have no other option save risking homelessness. I have spoken to many young people who are doing everything right. They are working hard, saving every month and scraping together a deposit. Prices are rising and the goalposts keep getting moved. Why is this? One of the reasons is the Government has failed time and time again to keep its promise to stop investment funds bulk-purchasing family homes. Over 2,000 of these homes have been bulk-purchased since the Government introduced measures it claimed would put an end to this practice. These vulture funds can buy up to nine houses without triggering higher stamp duty and face absolutely no restrictions whatsoever on purchasing apartments in bulk. Consequently, we have the US private equity firm Cerberus Capital Management swooping in on distressed properties to a total of $19 billion. The name "Cerberus" is quite ironic. In Greek mythology it is a monstrous multi-headed dog guarding the entrance to the underworld. It is a very fitting name for a vulture fund devouring the dreams of our young people. I am asking all TDs, especially Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil ones in Wicklow and Wexford to support Sinn Féin's motion to stop vulture funds buying up family homes.

Sentiment score: -0.24