DUBLIN, Ireland: Fianna Fáil MEP Barry Cowen has proposed several changes to the European Parliament's draft report on the housing crisis across the EU.

The Midlands North-West MEP said his amendments could "greatly speed up the delivery of affordable housing across Europe."

As a member of the European Parliament's Special Committee on the Housing Crisis, Cowen said his proposals — which have the backing of some European colleagues — aim to:

• Reform EU State aid rules so countries like Ireland can invest more easily in public and affordable housing.
• Simplify planning and administrative systems.
• Improve access to funding for small and medium-sized developers.
• Encourage EU countries to share successful housing and planning practices.

Cowen's proposals also note that housing policy is mainly a national responsibility, but he urged closer European cooperation on finance and regulation.

He has repeatedly raised the issue in Brussels, saying the EU should "help, not hinder" member states trying to solve their housing problems.

Earlier this year, Cowen wrote to Housing Minister James Browne, urging him to prepare Ireland's housing strategy to benefit from upcoming EU changes to State aid rules.

He also called for a more flexible approach to housing finance, allowing Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) and smaller builders to play a bigger role in meeting Ireland's housing goals.

"These amendments are about making EU policy a driver of housing delivery, not an obstacle," Cowen said. "Reforming State aid rules could make a real difference, helping Ireland and Europe invest more in affordable homes."

He added that "planning delays, too much paperwork, and inconsistent permitting rules" are slowing down projects everywhere. By sharing best practices and cutting red tape, Cowen said, EU countries can deliver new homes faster.

"Ireland's housing crisis is part of a wider European problem," he said. "The changes we're proposing will help countries learn from one another and make better use of EU funding, especially for small and medium-sized developers."