The Irish Independent's View: Voters deserve unity of purpose, not Dail shouting matches

"Although never in government, Sinn Féin has sought to hold the Government to account for its missed targets. However, there has to come a point when something other than sound and fury is needed. For the past few years we have been promised a whole-of-government response to the housing emergency. We need to see real evidence of intent. When confronted with a genuine threat to the country, as we saw during the crash or during the pandemic, Ireland rises to the occasion."

"Mr Doherty had accused the Government of prioritising landlords and developers and leaving renters "abandoned". Mr Harris responded by saying it was Sinn Féin that benefited from contributions from US "construction companies and builders". Out there in the real world, the crisis is being reflected in lived experience, with children suffering. Focus Ireland revealed that a record number of 5,250 children will be homeless this Christmas."

"Homelessness is not inevitable. It is the result of policy choices and is entirely preventable The charity's new ambassador, actor Emmet Kirwan, who is currently playing Bob Cratchit in A Christmas Carol at the Gate Theatre, drew a parallel with the Dickensian era when families struggle perennially to get and keep a roof over their heads. He said it is almost as if we are revisiting a Victorian model of charity and giving."

Political point-scoring has failed to produce a cohesive response to the housing emergency. Repeated promises of a whole-of-government plan have not delivered measurable intent or action. When national crises occur, the country has previously mobilised collective effort, suggesting similar cohesion is possible for housing delivery. Public debate in the Dáil has become polarized, while real-world consequences escalate: Focus Ireland reports a record 5,250 children facing homelessness. Charitable organisations are increasingly providing housing support, prompting comparisons to Victorian-era charity. Homelessness is framed as the result of policy choices and described as entirely preventable with decisive political action.

Read at Irish Independent