The article centers on the failed appointment of Brendan McDonagh, CEO of Nama (the Irish state's bad bank), as the head of Ireland's new Housing Activation Office (HAO). McDonagh's exceptionally high salary (€430,000) – exceeding even the combined salaries of the Taoiseach and the UK Prime Minister – sparked public outrage and political tension.
The controversy is presented as a symptom of broader government failures in tackling Ireland's housing crisis. The article criticizes the lack of actual power granted to the proposed HAO head, despite the promise of strong action. The government's credibility is further undermined by inconsistencies in reported housing completion figures during the election campaign.
The handling of McDonagh's potential appointment caused significant friction within the Irish government's coalition. Housing Minister James Browne's decision to publicly support McDonagh before a final decision was made angered his Fine Gael coalition partners. The opposition parties capitalized on the government's missteps.
The article emphasizes the severity of Ireland's housing crisis. Key statistics cited include:
The ongoing search for a new, more appropriately compensated housing tsar highlights the government's struggle to effectively address the crisis in its early days.