Sinn Féin Director of Elections Matt Carthy has demanded that Fine Gael Leader Simon Harris answer questions regarding reported unacceptable behaviour of a Fine Gael general election candidate in the middle of a housing crisis.

It has been reported that Councillor Maeve O’Connell sought to have a developer upgrade her home – which she shares with her Fine Gael TD husband Colm Brophy – as part of her objection to new homes in her constituency of Dublin Rathdown.

Matt Carthy said:

“According to The Ditch website, Cllr Maeve O’Connell entered into “an agreement” with developers to carry out extensive work on her and Deputy Colm Brophy’s home as part of her objection to the building of new homes in her constituency.

“If this is true, it is shocking in the midst of the current housing crisis and highly unacceptable behaviour for any elected representative.

“I think people will be outraged at allegations that a public representative requested upgrades to her property during the planning process, for her own personal benefit, which delayed the construction of urgently needed housing for the guts of a year.

“Simon Harris needs to make a statement on this matter.

“Has the Fine Gael leader spoken to Cllr O’Connell and Deputy Brophy? 

“What actions has he taken? 

“Will Maeve O’Connell be allowed to continue as a Fine Gael candidate in this election? 

“We are in the middle of a housing crisis. This type of behaviour is well known to delay the construction of housing and is completely wrong.  

“The public deserves answers from Simon Harris today.”