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

I think the Deputies for raising this very important issue. Directions have issued and the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage has been clear that people should not be turned away from emergency accommodation on the grounds of locality or where they are from. I watched that programme. It is difficult enough for people who find themselves homeless where there is capacity and that emergency accommodation should be made available. The Minister has issued a circular, he has been clear in that, and he will continue to instruct and make it clear that people should not be refused accommodation in such circumstances. That is our position.

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