Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

Did the Minister see the photographs of the chain on the fire doors?

I cannot imagine an independent fire consultant approving a situation where fire doors are chained. I wish to hear more about that. Dublin Fire Brigade has indicated that there are 22 other premises about which it is concerned. According to the council's building register, the completion certificate for the refurbishment works has not been filed and works are still ongoing, so the hotel is still technically and practically a construction site. We all understand that there is a serious homelessness problem but the last thing we want is for that to end up in a tragedy.

The Minister referred to the housing assistance payment. In many cases, part of the reason these people have ended up homeless is that they cannot find accommodation to rent. This case relates to Dublin City Council but that is the situation in many more locations, including my area. It is simply not possible for people to find rental accommodation. The housing assistance payment, even though a large amount is allocated for it, is still below the rents being sought, and the amount of accommodation available to rent is less than the need. Saying that a housing assistance payment is being provided to deal with the homelessness problem might well be technically true but, in practical terms, one cannot find any place to rent and if one does find a place the housing assistance payment will not cover its cost in many cases.

I referred to the other 22 premises. The Minister said nobody was accommodated in Lynam's Hotel last night. Is it still the intention to use it? Will the Minister consult Dublin City Council and the fire brigade about those premises? Can he confirm that an independent fire consultant would approve a situation where there are chains on fire doors? I do not know if the Minister saw the photograph but I did.

See this speech in context