Should investment funds be banned from bulk-buying residential housing estates?

The 'Vulture Fund' debate centers on institutional investors—often called 'cuckoo funds' in Ireland—purchasing large swathes of residential housing estates, pushing first-time buyers out of the market. While legislation has been introduced to impose higher stamp duty on bulk purchases, critics argue it hasn't gone far enough to stop the practice entirely in the rental sector. Proponents of a ban argue it gives families a fighting chance to own a home and stops wealth extraction. Opponents argue these funds are necessary to finance high-density developments that the state cannot afford to build on its own.