Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Anti-Austerity Alliance) | Oireachtas source

I fundamentally disagree with the Deputy and will explain why. It is publicly known a housing and homelessness committee has been established by the Dáil. We need to let those who are experiencing homelessness know they are being listened to and are at the heart of the matter. I have no problem going to visit a hotel or centre but that would not be the same as it would not be public.

With regard to how we select people, I absolutely agree with Deputy Catherine Byrne that we must be sensitive. If somebody is appearing before the committee, he or she knows its proceedings are in public and chooses to speak publicly. Many homeless families would love an opportunity to have a public hearing on the issues.

How would one choose people? We can all suggest a family, if we want, or we can ask organisations to choose people. I stress that we must include non-Irish people. It is not widely understood that non-Irish people are being hit hardest by homelessness, as is evident in my constituency. This is because they are more associated with the private rental sector. They experience particular issues. The Chairman could talk to members about potential witnesses and make a judgment on it. It would be wrong if we just brought in representatives of organisations representing the homeless. Some people working for homelessness organisations are making a lot of money. Their perspective would not be the same as that of those experiencing problems with travel, transport, obesity, diet, the lack of cooking facilities, etc.