Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity) | Oireachtas source

The last time I debated with the Minister of State in the House, he made the astounding statement about our international reputation on homelessness. A constituent wrote an email to me about that and I wish to read a little of it before I give my presentation. She wrote:

Dear Taoiseach,

I write this email to convey my concern and absolute disagreement with recent comments made by Eileen Gleeson of the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive, Minister of State Damien English and yourself. I won't repeat the comments but Minister English's comments about this concern for Ireland's reputation abroad were particularly galling. I write this not as someone living on the margins or at risk of homelessness, or as someone with any political motivation, but as a concerned citizen of Ireland and a resident of Castleknock, Dublin 15, who is fortunate to have a well-paid job. You could say I am one of people who get up early in the morning, to use your words.

I do not have time to read the whole email but I think the Minister of State will get the tenor. If he, the Taoiseach, the Minister, and the homeless and housing officials who are representing their agenda think their particularly contemptible attitude towards homelessness is going down well among people, they are wrong. I could read the rest of it but I do not have time. I will send it on to the Minister of State.

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