Sinn Féin spokesperson on Enterprise, Trade, Employment and Workers Rights, Louise O’Reilly TD, has called out the new leader of Fine Gael for failing to address the extent of the housing and homelessness crisis.

Despite record homelessness being announced yesterday, there has been radio silence from the would-be Taoiseach.

Teachta O’Reilly said:

“Yesterday, record levels of homelessness were announced. The housing crisis continues to escalate, with the record house prices and record rents. It is out of control.

“Why is Simon Harris silent? He has not addressed the housing crisis once since becoming Fine Gael leader. This is the man who wants to become Taoiseach.

“Why has he said nothing on record child homelessness, missed government targets, the collapse in home ownership, or the lowest number of homes available to buy in 17 years?

“Simon Harris clearly does not care about the people who are suffering as a result of this housing crisis.

“Simon Harris is just more of the same.

“He has sat at the Cabinet table for eight years as house ownership has collapsed and rents have sky-rocketed.

“He is part of a government that is out of touch, out of ideas and out of time.

“It’s time for new people with new ideas. It’s time for a general election.”