Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O'Brien TD delivered a keynote address at the start of the conference. Vincent Wall moderated the event and we also heard insights from Trinity lecturer and economist Ronan Lyons. Three engaging panels debated the current key challenges, trends and opportunities in the sector (see details below).

Poll Results

Ireland’s planning processes are seen as the biggest obstacle to meeting our housing needs into the future (43%), according to the industry professionals we surveyed at our Future of Property Conference.

Almost all respondents (95%) believe that reforms are needed to Ireland’s planning regulations, with a reduction of judicial reviews being seen as the most important priority (43%), followed by improved resourcing for local authorities and An Bord Pleanála (29%). Infrastructure was seen by 62% of the professionals we surveyed as the biggest impediment to Dublin achieving smart city status.

More than half of respondents (57%) felt that housing supply will not improve in Dublin for 4 years or longer, with only 2% thinking it would improve in the next 12 months. The vast majority of professionals (81%) said they do not believe that a change of Government would bring about a meaningful improvement in the supply of housing in the short term. Also, just over three quarters (76%) felt that the 2% caps on residential rent reviews are not sustainable in the short-term against the backdrop of inflationary pressures.

Panel Discussions

Planning: What Reforms are Needed? - Moderated by Deirdre Nagle, Partner, Mason Hayes & Curran LLP

Panellists:

• Stephen Garvey, CEO Glenveagh
• Dr Conor Norton, President, Irish Planning Institute
• Stephen Dodd SC, Chairperson, Planning, Environmental, and Local Government Bar Association of Ireland
• Raymond O’Malley, Director, Kiaran O’Malley & Co Ltd

Watch the recording of this panel discussion.

Smart Cities and ESG: The Next Generation of Property - Moderated by Oisin Tobin, Partner, Mason Hayes & Curran LLP

Panellists:

• Dr Conor Dowling, Programme Manager, Smart Dun Laoghaire
• Caroline Pontifex, Director Workplace Experience, Savills
• Paul Glynn, CEO, Davra

Watch the recording of this panel discussion.

Housing and PRS: What does the Future Hold? - Moderated by Jamie Fitzmaurice, Partner, Mason Hayes & Curran LLP

Panellists:

• Orla Cleary, Director of Corporate Services, Tuath Housing Association
• Brian Motherway, Senior Director, AIB
• Michael Hynes, Executive Director and Joint Managing Partner, Quintain

Watch the recording of this panel discussion.