Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Government's own Minister has acknowledged the decision he and the Cabinet have taken and the decision the Government voted for, with the support of a handful of Independents, will increase homelessness. However, it is not just figures we need to be talking about. It is not just the 11,754 who are homeless, and the 3,451 people, but all of the additional people the Minister will make homeless. We put it to the Tánaiste last week about a family who was told to go to the Garda station, because that was the only security that could be got. He was shouting across the Chamber that they were sorted. They were sorted, because Deputy Ward was able to find emergency accommodation.

They were sorted in bed and breakfast accommodation. What type of decency does the Government believe in if it thinks that families in bed and breakfast accommodation in this year of 2023 is right? Do the right thing. Vote to extend the eviction ban. I have no confidence in Darragh O'Brien. The public has no confidence in Darragh O'Brien, and why would they? He is the Minister for homelessness. I will be voting no confidence in this Government.

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