Sinn Féin spokesperson on Housing Eoin Ó Broin TD has today challenged Fine Gael TD Richard Bruton to a public debate on housing.

The challenge comes after a series of social media exchanges between the two TDs on housing.

Teachta Ó Broin said:

“Richard Bruton has recently taken an interest in housing policy. This is very welcome, though it is a pity he didn’t take such an interest when he had a place at Cabinet.

“Unfortunately much of his public commentary on housing issues is inaccurate and ill-informed. He seems to have forgotten that while leading government for almost a decade Fine Gael presided over the one of the worst housing crisis in recent history.

“At the end of their two terms of Government homelessness is higher, social housing need is higher, rents are higher and house prices are higher.

“Despite his own party’s track record he seems to think that Sinn Féin are somehow to blame for the policies he himself supported while in Cabinet.

“However, rather than trade Tweets with Richard, I would prefer to have a substantive policy debate with Deputy Bruton. So today I have challenged him to participate in a public debate with me, facilitated by an independent chair.

“The growing number of people in real housing need do not want to hear politicians shouting at one another.

“They want to know how each party is going to solve the housing crisis. Given Richard’s interest in public policy I’m sure he would be up for a reasoned, evidenced based debate about how we end three decades of failed housing policy, and deliver the secure and affordable homes that working people deserve.”