Former Ulster and Ireland rugby hero Tommy Bowe has been praised for taking on Leo Varadkar over the Irish government's record at tackling the housing crisis.
Bowe and Ireland AM co-host Muireann O'Connell interviewed the Tánaiste on Wednesday and Bowe challenged the Fine Gael leader over how so many people, in particular children, are falling into homelessness.
They asked why hadn't the Irish government brought in rent freezes in this week's budget rather than just the €500 rent credit considering how rent prices are continuing to go up with fewer and fewer places becoming available.
Read more: Stephen Ferris 'can't get head around' Ulster star's Irish snub
Bowe said: "We imagine there's going to be another rent increase. We're seeing pictures of students camping out beside the road, beside universities in Dublin and in Galway.
"It actually makes me think of Philly McMahon the Dublin footballer we had on yesterday.
"His brother died homeless. He said there's ten thousand people who are homeless or in emergency accommodation at the minute.
"Three thousand seven hundred of them are children, it's frightening. When we think of the windfall taxes that are coming into this country.
"I think of my own kids, the pressures we have, and we have a roof over our head.
"With your government, there are 3,700 children without a home and there is more people going to fall into this because they can't afford rent."
Varadkar replied: "Well we don't know that that's going to be the case.
"I hope we see homelessness falling again over the course of the year, it was falling for quite some time. It's started going up again."
To which an exasperated Bowe cut across with "You hope?"
He then added: "When it comes to children, and to think that they don't have a fixed roof over their head. Where does that (leave us) in a country like this?"
Varadkar responded: “I think everyone understands that homelessness is a lot more complicated than just building houses or money. There's lots of factors at play."
“The solution is more supply. In the last 12 months, 25,000 houses were built in Ireland, that's more than in any year in ten years. But we're catching up on a period when very few homes were built.”
The segment left viewers impressed with Bowe and O'Connell's willingness to tackle the big issues since it wouldn't necessarily be expected of morning television presenters, reports the Irish Mirror.
Emilio tweeted: "Simply incredible it takes a light entertainment morning show presented by an ex international rugby player to directly challenge Leo Varadkar on the abhorrent conditions in Ireland that see 3,700 children homeless. Claire Byrne is talking about salted caramel vapes..."
While another viewer commented: "Tommy holds politicians to account better than 99% of 'actual' journalists."
Lastly, James agreed, saying: "Leo looks extremely uncomfortable because he's not used to hard questions."
READ NEXT:
- Scarlets vs Ulster as it happened in the United Rugby Championship
Ulster hooker Tom Stewart wants more after man-of-the-match display
Ulster pair catapult themselves into Ireland debate with incredible display
Stephen Ferris and Andrew Trimble united in tribute to Nevin Spence
Sign up to our free sports newsletter to get the latest headlines to your inbox.
