Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

No. I welcome the increase in the level of housebuilding, particularly in my constituency and east County Meath. It is good to see a considerable number of new homes being built. I welcome the attention that is being paid to housing but more radical measures are required in some instances, such as in the cases I highlighted.

The death of a homeless person this week was a tragedy for the individual involved and society. It greatly disturbs me that people are dying homeless on the sides of our streets. Whatever the issues were, and I am not competent or qualified to discuss them, it is morally and ethically wrong that in a country where we are supposed to have a fair deal for everybody, somebody should slip through the net and die in those circumstances. I particularly welcome the role of the voluntary bodies and public servants in addressing these issues. However, I am outraged by another death on the streets of Dublin. It is unacceptable and unforgivable that this should happen in a land of opportunity and equality.