Averil Power (Fianna Fail)

I wish to propose an amendment to the Order of Business to bring the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government before the House to discuss the ongoing situation in respect of Priory Hall. Members are aware that the residents of Priory Hall have been living in unprecedented and cruel conditions in recent months. Many of us have raised this matter in the House during the past month or so. Some Members may have met the residents when they held a protest outside the gates of Leinster House yesterday.

While Mr. Justice Kearns took a passionate approach to the residents in the High Court case, Dublin City Council has sought at every turn to absolve itself of any responsibility for catering for the needs of families with small children. The council sought an eviction order so that it might kick the residents out of their homes but it did not have any plan regarding where they might go. When the High Court found in favour of the residents and directed Dublin City Council to pay for their temporary accommodation, the council lodged an appeal with the Supreme Court. Whatever about the legal reasoning employed by the council, this shows an incredible lack of humanity in the period leading up to Christmas.

It appears the council is taking instruction from the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government in respect of this matter. It also appears the council is relying on terms such as "legal precedent", "consulting the Minister and departmental officials" and "our hands are tied". The residents have repeatedly sought a meeting with the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government but he has refused all requests. It is for these reasons that I decided to table my amendment and I ask Members on all sides to support it. This is not a party political issue and I understand that Members on the other side of the House genuinely care about the residents and their plight. The very least the residents of Priory Hall deserve is 20 minutes of the Minister's time in order that he might listen to their stories regarding what they have endured, outline in clear terms the instructions, if any, his Department has given to Dublin City Council and accept responsibility for the situation.

Let us be clear in respect of this matter. Priory Hall is but the first of many cases that will arise throughout the country. Individual councils will be approaching the Department and seeking advice on how to deal with these cases. It is time the Minister levelled with the residents and accepted that this is a national issue for which he has responsibility. I ask all Members to support the amendment.