Taoiseach meeting homeless people 'not a political stunt'

Dublin Lord Mayor Christy Burke has said that the Taoiseach's decision to visit homeless people on the streets of inner city Dublin last night was not a “political stunt”.

The capital's Lord Mayor says Enda Kenny thought the experience was “emotional” and “was taken aback” to see the conditions in which people were sleeping rough.

Mayor Burke says the Taoiseach asked to take part in rounds with the Inner City Helping Homeless group four weeks ago - and was vetted before being allowed to participate.

"He was with me from 10 to 11 until half-two," he said.

"I have to say, his security team were dressed the same as us and you would have imagined that a lot of people would have thought they were part of the volunteers.

"There was no in-your-face stuff. We stopped the Taoiseach from walking on syringes in the Harcourt Street area, and he was taken aback by that, to see syringes, sleeping bags, bottles.

"When we explained they were needle spikes, he was taken aback."

ICHH Director Anthony Flynn was with the Taoiseach and the Lord Mayor as they toured "the Grafton Street and Temple Bar areas".

He said: ''It was great to see the Taoiseach at the route of the problem, he got to see first-hand the conditions that people are living in on the streets.

"Myself, An Taoiseach and The Lord Mayor of Dublin Christy Burke have agreed to actively work on finding a long term solution to the homeless problem.

"We have echoed for months now the increase in rough sleepers on Dublin's streets and it is of the highest importance that all organisations and departments come together to tackle the problem as one.

"Mr Kenny was in full agreement. This starts today with the homeless summit hosted by Christy Burke in the Mansion House.''