Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister. I think Owen Keegan’s comments were more than a lack of understanding. I think it was absolute contempt for the students and for the situation they are in. I hope the Minister will join with me in asking for his resignation. I am going to join students today when they are demonstrating at 1 p.m. outside Dublin City Council to make their feelings known on this. I was absolutely shocked, in all honesty. When Seán in my office contacted me about it, I said: “You can’t re-tweet that” and “You can’t relay that. That has to be wrong”. Nobody in that position could say such a thing, could think such a thing. It is absolutely disgusting.

I have a copy of a letter from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to our local authorities and county councils. It just says there is a critical need for student accommodation, which obviously is true, and that local authorities and An Bord Pleanála must be satisfied there are good reasons for the transfer of student accommodation to tourism. That is an extremely weak response, particularly as it is a circular. That was sent around in 2016. We are now in 2021 and this is what is happening in terms of the conversion of student accommodation. It has to stop.

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