Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I congratulate and salute the Beaufort community council for its speedy response in having the cross on the top of Carrauntoohil restored to its rightful place in time for Christmas.

I commend Senator Craughwell and others. I sympathise with the Corrie family. The Leader will arrange a debate for tomorrow. I commend Dublin City Council, which has provided €2.44 million for emergency accommodation and €2.5 million to charities such as the Simon Communities and the Fr. Peter McVerry Trust. Of course there should be sufficient sheltered accommodation for people on the streets, but some of them are there by desire. We cannot force people. As Senator Cullinane stated, there are addiction issues, etc. This problem is more complex than we might think upon looking at it and reading press reports. I hope that we can go into some detail tomorrow evening. Senator Craughwell mentioned a property on Ormond Quay. Fr. McVerry mentioned it on television yesterday. I do not know why it has been lying idle for so long. Maybe Dublin City Council could use its good offices to examine the suggestion. Perhaps further sheltered accommodation could be provided.

I hope that tomorrow's debate will shed more light on this issue and that we will examine the various complex issues arising for some of those involved. The young man in question had not been at home for the guts of 29 years. There are different reasons for every case. It is shocking when it happens, but there will be no one-size-fits-all solution. I look forward to our debate.