Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for their presentations. During Senator Murnane O'Connor's contribution, I was struck by something which I would like to share because it illustrates the extent of the problem. A number of county councillors have made representations to Wicklow County Council on this issue. I have received in writing a clear policy statement from the county council, which has had a number of chief executives, including acting chief executives, in the past year or two. No one in the Customs House seems to be interested in addressing this issue. I refer to the refusal on the part of Wicklow County Council to allow public representatives to advocate or accompany people affected by the homeless crisis. When I sought to make representations on behalf of a woman I met, the executive of the council refused to meet me. I forced the issue by insisting on having the reasons for the county council's refusal to meet me set out in writing.

I was contacted by a woman with literacy and mental health problems who has been in and out of Newcastle hospital. The county council refused to allow county councillors, Deputies or Senators to accompany her to meet officials. This is a measure of the difficulties being experienced by public representatives.

The witnesses made a number of recommendations and members will not fall short in terms of pursuing them, whether through legislation or guidelines.