Advertisement We need your help now Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open. You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough. If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it. One-off amount I already contribute Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you. An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more. Investigates Investigates Money Diaries Daft.ie Property Magazine Allianz Home Magazine The 42 Sports Magazine The Journal TV Climate Crisis Cost of Living Road Safety Newsletters Temperature Check Inside the Newsroom The Journal Investigates The Explainer A deep dive into one big news story Sport meets news, current affairs, society & pop culture have your say Or create a free account to join the discussion Advertisement More Stories Will Brendan McDonagh be the new housing tsar?Rollingnews.ie What is the 'housing tsar' controversy all about and will they really be paid €430,000? The housing debate has taken another contentious turn. 1.51pm, 30 Apr 2025 Share options THERE WERE TENSE exchanges in the Dáil yesterday as opposition TDs grilled Taoiseach Micheál Martin about plans to create a new ‘housing tsar’. But why has the idea been so ferociously criticised? After a two-week Easter break, the Dáil reconvened yesterday as TDs took part in Leaders’ Questions. Minister for Housing James Browne yesterday announced the creation of a new ‘Housing Activation Office’ to operate within the Department of Housing. What will this office do? The new office will comprise a dedicated “expert” team, with many of them seconded into their new roles, Browne said. The team will be tasked with expediting the delivery of new housing in line with government targets by addressing infrastructural obstacles and ensuring appropriate funding is made available where needed. He said the creation of the new office will allow for “streamlined, on the ground reporting” on the progression of building works on sites around the country to allow for corrective action to be taken to speed up delivery and cut through any red-tape. The office will be supported by the Housing Activation Delivery Group – chaired by the minister – and will consist of senior officials from key government departments as well as infrastructure agencies, housing delivery agencies and the public sector. Who will head the new office? Well, this is where the faultline has emerged between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. It is understood that the name of Brendan McDonagh, chief executive of the National Asset Management Agency, was to go to Cabinet yesterday for approval. Advertisement However, it is believed his name was not mentioned at yesterday’s meeting. The idea of a housing tsar isn’t a new one. It was first floated back in 2017 when Eoghan Murphy was housing minister and he was urged to create a new office to coordinate the activities of state agencies, but it was never signed off on. Brendan McDonagh, chief executive of NamaRollingnews.ie Rollingnews.ie Have Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael fallen out on the matter? The naming of McDonagh has caused tensions between the coalition partners with a spokesperson for the Tánaiste stating yesterday that it is Harris’ view that appointments of this scale, given the importance of this office, should be discussed by the leaders in advance of any name being made public. The housing minister said on radio yesterday that McDonagh is his preferred candidate. However, asked about the appointment in Leaders’ Questions today, Martin repeated that “no decision has been made” as to who will take up the role. He added that it is not unusual for civil servants, such as those in the NTMA, to be seconded into other positions. A final decision on who will get the job will be made at the Cabinet subcommittee on housing tomorrow. Why is the housing tsar idea facing backlash? The creation of the role has been met with consternation across opposition parties. It has been described as “double-jobbing” by Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald, who says the existence of such a title raises questions around the Taoiseach’s trust in his own Cabinet. Related Reads Government missed its target of social housing by about 18% (or 2,345 homes) last year Taoiseach says no decisions made yet on Rent Pressure Zone changes “You have a full-Cabinet minister for housing, why is it that you have so little confidence?” she said. Social Democrats Housing spokesperson Rory Hearne has written to Browne to express his disapproval at the appointment of McDonagh as tsar. Rory Hearne, Social Democrats spokesperson on HousingAlamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo How much does the job pay? The Taoiseach said the salary of the tsar appointee would be awarded at “no additional” cost, due to the fact they would be arriving in from a public service position. McDonagh would therefore simply retain his existing €430,000 Nama salary, along with its benefits, if he takes up the new role. However, McDonald said the government was “spinning, bluffing and taking people for fools,” while Hearne slammed the pay for the new “gold-plated position” as “outrageous” at a time when the introduction of a living wage is being postponed. With reporting by Christina Finn Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... Our Explainer articles bring context and explanations in plain language to help make sense of complex issues. We're asking readers like you to support us so we can continue to provide helpful context to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay. Support The Journal Keith Kelly View 9 comments Send Tip or Correction Embed this post To embed this post, copy the code below on your site Email “What is the 'housing tsar' controversy all about and will they really be paid €430,000?”. Recipient's Email Feedback on “What is the 'housing tsar' controversy all about and will they really be paid €430,000?”. Your Feedback Your Email (optional) Report a Comment Please select the reason for reporting this comment. Please give full details of the problem with the comment... This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy before taking part. Leave a Comment Submit a report Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines. Damaging the good reputation of someone, slander, or libel. Racism or Hate speech An attack on an individual or group based on religion, race, gender, or beliefs. Trolling or Off-topic An attempt to derail the discussion. Inappropriate language Profanity, obscenity, vulgarity, or slurs. Advertising, phishing, scamming, bots, or repetitive posts. Please provide additional information Thank you for the feedback Your feedback has been sent to our team for review. Leave a commentcancel Newly created accounts can only comment using The Journal app. This is to add an extra layer of security to account creation. Download and sign into the app to continue. Access to the comments facility has been disabled for this user View our policy ⚠️ Duplicate comment Post Comment have your say Or create a free account to join the discussion department of housing Fianna Fáil James Browne News in 60 seconds Retired Defence Forces member jailed for grooming and sexually abusing two young girls in 1980s 20 mins ago trump administration 'This has NOTHING TO DO WITH TARIFFS'', says Trump as US economy contracts 22 mins ago Kirsty Ward Spanish prosecutor argues alleged killer's claim that Irish woman died by suicide is false 27 mins ago Fatal Collisions Dublin TD calls for SUV-free zones as study shows these cars are more likely to kill Record Breaker 'Record-breaking temperatures' could be on the cards - and it's already 28 degrees in Waterford British Spy Gerry Adams tells court he 'liked' Denis Donaldson and was 'shocked' when he heard he'd been killed Dublin pitted against Connacht champions, Ulster runners-up, and Derry in All-Ireland SFC draw Investigation into disappearance of Kerry farmer Michael Gaine upgraded to homicide Kneecap has gig cancelled on foot of backlash for 'dead Tory' and 'up Hamas, up Hezbollah' comments Power Outage Power restored to over 20,000 ESB customers impacted by outage across west Dublin Leaders' Questions Taoiseach quizzed on why Housing Minister needs to 'job-share' with new €430k Housing Tsar more from us Investigates Daft.ie Property Magazine Allianz Home Magazine The 42 Sports Magazine Money Diaries The Journal TV Journal Media Advertise With Us About FactCheck Our Network FactCheck Knowledge Bank Terms & Legal Notices Terms of Use Cookies & Privacy Advertising Competition more from us TV Listings GAA Fixtures The Video Review Journal Media Advertise With Us Our Network The Journal FactCheck Knowledge Bank Terms & Legal Notices Terms of Use Cookies & Privacy Advertising Competition © 2025 Journal Media Ltd Terms of Use Cookies & Privacy Advertising Competition Switch to Desktop Switch to Mobile The Journal supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and the Office of the Press Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Code of Practice. You can obtain a copy of the Code, or contact the Council, at https://www.presscouncil.ie, PH: (01) 6489130, Lo-Call 1800 208 080 or email: mailto:info@presscouncil.ie Report an error, omission or problem: Your Email (optional) Create Email Alert Create an email alert based on the current article Email Address One email every morning As soon as new articles come online