Fianna Fáil keep Housing Minister in job as homelessness hits record high

FIANNA Fáil's decision to abstain on a vote of no confidence in Eoghan Murphy was enough to keep the embattled Housing Minister in his position.

Tuesday's vote came as new figures released from the Department of Housing show that homelessness has reached record highs across the State, with 10,514 people living in emergency accommodation.

The no confidence motion brought forward by the Social Democrats had the backing of Sinn Féin, the Labour Party, the Green Party and smaller left-wing groups, but crucially Fianna Fáil chose to sit on the fence.

In a mealy-mouthed response, Fianna Fáil Housing Spokesperson Darragh O'Brien critcised Fine Gael's Housing record – while also attacking those who brought forward the motion as “an attempt to garner publicity”.

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald TD accused Fine Gael of being out of touch with ordinary workers and families:

“In their greed for political power Fine Gael is blind to the very real consequences of their policy failures,” she said.

She accused Fianna Fáil of making “a whole pile of noise” but “when push comes to shove they will sit on their hands and support their buddies in Fine Gael”.

Deputy McDonald described the Fianna Fáil decision to abstain on the vote as a 'clear indication that they are on the side of landlords instead of homeless children'.

Taking aim at the Housing Minister, she said the state needed a real home building plan, “not spin and bull” which they had heard from the Minister:

“You are incapable of dealing with this crisis and you have demonstrated that time and time again. Your time has run out. We need a radical plan of home building in terms of council homes and affordable housing,” she said.

Minister Murphy survived the vote of no confidence by 56 votes to 53. There were 35 abstentions.