Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

People were shocked by the death yesterday of Jonathan Corrie in a doorway less than 50 yards from this House. Our thoughts are with Mr. Corrie's family and loved ones. The Taoiseach stated he was distressed to hear of Mr. Corrie's death and I am sure that is true. However, I and others have been raising for ages the Government's failure to tackle the housing crisis. He should not be surprised, therefore, that in this day and age a man can die on the streets of our capital city just yards from this Parliament because he did not have a home.

The Taoiseach stated there are complex issues involved. The fact is the State failed Mr. Corrie. I listened this morning to a woman called Sophie Pigot speaking on "Today with Sean O'Rourke". Ms Pigot, whom I do not know, struck me as being very caring and modest. Speaking of how she tried to get Mr. Corrie help, she said, "We are a small society. He could have been my second cousin." That is the truth of the matter. Under the Taoiseach's watch, however, anyone could become homeless.

This morning, I visited the spot where Mr. Corrie died to pay my respects. There were bouquets of flowers, some with notes attached. One note read:

Jonathan RIP. I feel privileged to have known you. You were an absolute gentleman and a pleasure to chat to. I'll miss seeing you around and stopping for a chat.

Another read:

In loving memory of Jonathan Corrie RIP, who died bravely in the cold in a Dublin doorway. I feel ashamed that in a country full of spare houses and rooms, that we did not put a roof over your head. Now is the time for Government, NAMA, developers, Councils, the public, to take action as a national emergency.

The number of people sleeping rough in Dublin surged by 20% this year. This Christmas, 168 people are expected to sleep on the streets, which is three times the figure recorded when records began in 2007. Some 30 people are sleeping rough in my constituency and 800 children across the State are housed in temporary emergency accommodation. Will the Taoiseach facilitate an emergency Dáil debate on the escalating and chronic homelessness crisis? Will he initiate an emergency intervention?

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