Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I support the Bill but I do so with a sense of nausea at the cynicism of the Labour Party in failing to recognise its contribution to the homelessness crisis through its policies. Sneering from Labour Members is not an answer. They should recognise the role they played when part of a majority Government that pursued policies which actively led to this crisis.

The Bill is an indictment of local authorities and our society when, five years after we amended the Constitution to give rights to children, we need to introduce legislation to direct housing authorities to consider the family and to recognise persons of the family unit. While I support the Bill, it has to be put in perspective. When Labour was in government with an overwhelming majority, it actively brought in policies that created the crisis relating to housing and homelessness. It put an end to affordable housing and lowered housing standards.

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