Kenny willing to meet with 23-day hunger striker over property tax

Taoiseach Enda Kenny said he is willing to meet hunger striker Tony Rochford.

The Meath native been on hunger strike outside the Dáil for 23 days in his fight against the property tax.

Doctors have told opposition TDs that the 45-year-old's blood pressure is now dangerously low.

His case was raised on leaders questions by Waterford TD John Halligan, in response to which the Taoiseach said he is willing to meet Mr Rochford, but would seek more information on the circumstances first.

"I would hate to think that a citizen of our country would be outside the gates of the house of parliament in a situation where they're on hunger strike, where we cannot deal with the circumstances," Kenny said.

"But I think we need to know what the circumstances are, and we need to have those examined.

"I don't have any difficulty in meeting Mr Rochford at all, but I need to know what the circumstances are, so that the Minister for Social Protection or the Minister for Finance, and Revenue Commissioners, can deal with his question in terms of the property tax."