Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE) | Oireachtas source

In 2015, I proposed a Private Members' motion calling on the Government to accept the Apple tax billions and to spend them on building social and affordable housing to solve the housing crisis. At the time, I told the House the resources existed and it was a question of political prioritisation to end the homelessness and housing crisis over Apple not paying any tax. Back then, there were 1,571 homeless children growing up in emergency accommodation. Today, there are approximately 4,500 children in that situation. The Taoiseach was in government then too and he voted against my motion. I want to ask the Taoiseach now, after the European Court of Justice ruling, whether he regrets that decision. Does he regret throwing away a golden opportunity to solve the housing crisis ten years ago before it escalated into the catastrophe it is now? Will he commit to spending the Apple tax billions on building social and affordable housing now?

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