Government Minsters Said To Be 'Furious' Over Housing Comments Made By The President In Naas

Wednesday, 15 June 2022 09:17

By Caoimhe Harney

File image: Catherine Murphy TD/ via Twitter

The President described the issue as 'our great, great failure' and said the housing situation wasn't a crisis anymore but a 'disaster'.

It's claimed that President Michael D. Higgins 'crossed a line' in comments he made about the housing crisis.

According to reports a number of Government Minsters are said to be 'furious' about the remarks made in a speech yesterday.

President Higgins took aim at government housing policy yesterday while making an address at the opening of new -charity funded - accommodation for homeless young people in Jigginstown, Naas.

Speaking at the event in Jigginstown the President Higgins said the housing situation here has been country's biggest failure: "And I often ask myself, you know - how Republican is what we created?

"And isn't it sometimes closer to the poor law system we thought we were departing from," said President Michael D Higgins.

"It's a real challenge. I have taken as well to speaking ever more frankly in relation to housing because I think it is a great, great, great failure.

"It isn't a crisis anymore, it is a disaster," he said.

The President described the issue as 'our great, great failure' and said the housing situation wasn't a crisis anymore but a 'disaster'.

According to the Irish Independent President Higgins is now facing a backlash from some Ministers.

Although none are named, it's understood the criticism comes from the ministerial ranks across the coalition parties, one is quoted as saying the remarks were 'embarrassing' while another said it 'crossed a line'.

More from Local News

Yellow Rain Warning For Kildare As Flood Risk Being Monitored, Says Council

The alert comes into effect from 11 o’clock tonight and runs until 11pm tomorrow.
Kill's Scoil Bhríde Celebrate 105 Years Of Mabel Lyons With Newspaper Article Detailing Events From Past To Present

Audio

Having turned 105 on Sunday, students of the primary school have designed a newspaper article detailing world and local events from 1921-2026, all 105 years of her life
€20m For Kildare Roads - Safety Works Included Across 17 Sites, Including Dag Welds Cross

Upgrades are also planned on routes near Leixlip, Maynooth, Rathangan, Carragh, Naas and the Curragh, alongside €38,500 for renewed regulatory road markings at some junctions.
Pressure Mounts As Dozens Of Naas Children Await September School Places

Kfm News understands that one parent impacted received a letter this morning confirming a school place for her son.
Department Of Education Pauses Review Into SNA Allocations

It follows complaints from schools and parents, reporting a reduction in the number of available posts
Owners Get Large Tax Breaks For Letting Public View Art And Cultural Assets - But No List Exists

Speaking on Kildare Today, Kildare North Social Democrats TD said there could be important cultural items in Kildare that the public are not even aware of despite the owners potentially benefiting from a tax break.
Learner Driver’s "Big Shop" Raises Garda Eyebrows In Newbridge

During the check, officers uncovered a significant haul of suspected stolen property inside the car.
M9 Park-and-Share Plans For South Kildare Await Talks With Private Landowners That Are Yet to Begin

In contrast, a similar facility at Junction 5 in Rathcrogue, County Carlow, is further advanced because the land there is already publicly owned.