ACADEMIC AND HOUSING policy expert Rory Hearne is to seek nomination from the Social Democrats to stand in the European Parliament elections. 

He will seek the party’s nomination to stand in the Midlands North West constituency.

The elections are set to take place across the bloc between 6 – 9 June. A number of political parties have already announced the candidates who will contest for a seat.

Hearne is an Associate Professor in Social Policy at Maynooth University and has written several books on housing policy.

He previously ran for election as a People Before Profit candidate in the Dublin South East constituency in 2007. He also ran in the Seanad election as an independent candidate for the National University of Ireland panel in 2020. 

Confirming the news on social media, Hearne said he is seeking to represent “the generation ‘locked out’ of the housing market, adding: “The EU could be doing a lot more on housing.”

In a statement to The Journal this evening, Hearne said he had decided to run “because it is so evidently clear that we need a major policy shift in how we here in Ireland, and at EU level, treat housing and the basic aspects need for people to live lives of dignity”.

“There’s half a million adults living at home, there is Generation Rent, there is thousands of homeless children and their families and thousands more in hidden homelessness,” he said.

“I want to bring these issues to the European level – where the EU can provide funding for housing, can play a role in controlling the speculative vulture funds and Airbnb and I can bring back ideas for solutions to the Irish housing crisis from other European countries.”

He said the Social Democrats have shown that they are standing up for “a new value system – policies based on the social democratic European ideals of quality public services – housing, education, healthcare, income support, and that is our priority”.

“There is massive momentum for change in Ireland and being part of the Social Democrats I hope will help bring about that change we all so badly need and want,” he added.

Speaking on Newstalk’s The Hard Shoulder programme this evening, Hearne said that Holly Cairns had brought “a huge dynamist” in her leadership of the party, and said the party “reflect the values that I hold”. 

On why he was running to be an MEP, he said: “We need people like myself, who have values that are about those key areas of housing, health, education, climate, and I think that there’s a real need for voices and people who have a track record of standing up for social rights and human rights.”

A spokesperson for the Social Democrats told The Journal: “Rory is a hugely respected voice on housing in this country and has spent years campaigning on the issue.

“The party has yet to hold its selection convention but Rory would undoubtedly make an extremely strong candidate,” the spokesperson said.

“This is an exciting time for the party and we are very ambitious for both the local and European elections.”

In a social media post this evening, Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon described Hearne as “a brilliant person who would make a fine addition to the EU Parliament.”