Party councillors, and leader Micheál Martin, have previously opposed certain housing projects.
But now the party’s local election manifesto promises that councillors will not “oppose social and affordable housing projects”.
In 2021, three Fianna Fáil councillors voted against housing developments in south Dublin despite the then taoiseach’s pleas for politicians to not oppose housing. Councillor Emma Murphy voted against two social housing projects for older people, totalling 22 units. Her colleagues, Yvonne Collins and Teresa Costello, also voted against one of the projects, although votes for both of them passed.
Mr Martin has previously called on politicians to stop objecting to “all kinds” of housing.
However, the Tánaiste has himself opposed housing, previously objecting to the construction of accommodation for 350 students.
Speaking at the party’s manifesto launch, Mr Martin said this had been because of issues around density.
He accused Sinn Féin of being a “serial offender” when it came to objecting to the building of homes.
“We need councillors who ultimately get it, that you have to make a decision in the end,” he said.
“You can’t have one ideological group saying, ‘It’s our way, or nothing’.
“Cities need to be run, counties need to be administered and that takes councillors with determination and courage who are prepared to make decisions that, whilst not always popular, will result in efficient management.”
The manifesto also promises to “support all appropriate housing projects and proposals”, and vows to “reform” rent pressure zones – certain parts of the country where rent controls are set to prevent excessive rent hikes.
It also wants to extend the renter’s tax credit, keep development levy exemptions and the water charge rebate until December and “review annually”.
The manifesto calls the target of 250,000 extra homes built by 2030 – initially floated by Taoiseach Simon Harris in his first Fine Gael ard fhéis speech – “ambitious”.
The party is running 365 local election candidates, of whom 90 are women.
Mr Martin also spoke about a video circulating on social media of abuse being directed at local election candidate for the party in Limerick, Suzzie O’Deniyi. He called the video “shocking” and said the “anger, hostility, the hate” in the video was “clear to be seen”.
Mr Martin said it was “off the wall” that people from different nationalities are “subject to attack”.
