Sparks flew in the Dáíl on Tuesday evening as Sinn Féin’s Eoin Ó Broin branded Darragh O’Brien “possibly the worst housing minister we had in decades”.
Mr Ó Broin and Sinn Féin’s finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty branded Mr O’Brien a “embarrassment to your party and the country”,
Minister O’Brien called for the two men to “withdraw the remark”, branding them “personal charges”.
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However, this was not done as Leas Ceann Comhairle Caterhine Connolly called on the politicians to stop interrupting each other.
The comments were made during a debate calling on the Government to declare a housing emergency.
Mr Ó Broin told the Dáil that housing shortages are having a “human cost”.
“We're talking about schools that have no teachers to teach children,” he said.
“We're talking about hospitals that don't have nurses to care for our family members, medical centres without GPs.
“Students, in some cases, giving up college courses because they can't find accommodation.
“Of course children sleeping, not only in hostels, but we're even seeing increases of children sleeping in cars and in tents.”
In response, Minister O’Brien said that “nothing is more important to this country than tackling the housing crisis head on”.
“After a decade of under supply, rents are too high, home building is too low and too many people can’t buy their own home,” he said,
“Far too many of our most vulnerable are without a safe, secure roof over their heads.
“That said, there is cause for optimism and for hope.”
Minister O’Brien listed a number of schemes that the Government has established for housing. He also accused Sinn Féin of “objecting” to developments.
Mr Ó Broin interrupted Mr O’Brien to reject these comments.
He later said that Mr O’Brien was “perhaps the worst housing minister we’ve had for decades”.
The Minister was also branded an “embarrassment to the State and your party” by Mr Doherty.
Mr O’Brien called on Mr Ó Broin to withdraw the remarks.
The Government submitted a five page countermotion highlighting the successes of the Government in response to the Sinn Féin motion.
Housing was also the main topic in Tuesday’s Leaders Questions as the Daft.ie report was discussed. The report confirmed that rents have increased by 14% in the last year alone.
The average monthly rent nationwide is now €1,688 per year. This means that renters are now paying on average €2,000 extra a year.
Sinn Féín leader Mary Lou McDonald described the Daft.ie report as a “new grim record achieved on the watch of your Government” while addressing Taoiseach Micheál Martin
“It is just off the wall,” she said.
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