Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The democratic revolution the Taoiseach promised simply has not happened.

On the Planning and Development (No. 1) Bill 2014, every day we hear stark accounts about families being made homeless. More than 70 families were referred to Focus Ireland in the past month alone. The problem in Dublin is an absolute scandal, with more than 1,000 children in emergency accommodation in hotels across the city.

We also saw it in Kilkenny where many families with children were housed in the Aspect Hotel. What is happening is absolutely appalling. The Simon Community has stated there will be deaths and that terrible things will happen. There will be a terrible tragedy if something is not done to deal with the emergency for families and children in the capital and elsewhere across the country. Will the Taoiseach confirm when the Bill will be brought before the Dáil, given that the actions mentioned in Construction 2020 would be facilitated by the passage of the legislation?

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