Taoiseach accused of 'talking tough but absolutely doing nothing'

Gary Gannon was speaking about a report on safety in Dublin city by a task force which he said had been on the Taoiseach's desk for almost three weeks

The high-level taskforce was announced by Mr Harris in May and was given a 12-week timeframe to deliver recommendations on improving Dublin City's public realm, safety and experience. Picture: Leah Farrell / RollingNews.ie

Taoiseach Simon Harris has been criticised for "constant campaigning", which one Social Democrats TD said was at the expense of his work.

Gary Gannon was speaking about a report on safety in Dublin City by a taskforce he said had been on the Taoiseach's desk for almost three weeks.

The Dublin TD said Mr Harris's lack of response to the report was another example of "a Taoiseach talking tough but absolutely doing nothing".

The high-level taskforce was announced by Mr Harris in May and was given a 12-week timeframe to deliver recommendations on improving the city's public realm, safety and experience.

"While the Taoiseach maintains a kind of constant campaigning around the country, there are a number of reports that are lying on his desk not being seen," said Mr Gannon.

"I think that is to all our detriment."

He called on Mr Harris to urgently bring the findings forward and say what he is planning to do and what resources will be allocated to Dublin city.

Taoiseach's 'shameful' comments

Mr Gannon was also critical of remarks made by Mr Harris regarding migrants and the housing crisis which he said were "factually wrong".

In recent days, Mr Harris said there was "no doubt that there is a link between the migration challenge we face and the homeless challenge".

"I thought the Taoiseach's comments on Sunday were shameful because we can talk all we want about new energy in politics but he also needs to maintain his integrity," said Mr Gannon.

Labour TD Duncan Smith said individuals who were emerging from direct provision have a right to seek accommodation through the State.

He said in the current political climate, Mr Harris's words were a "dog whistle" for some groups in society.

"The Taoiseach is someone who is very adept at communication, he knows exactly what he is saying. A sophisticated communicator," said Mr Smith. "I think this was the wrong message to send out."

Meanwhile, People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy called the claim there was a link between the homelessness levels and migration "disgusting" and factually incorrect.

"Anyone coming to Ireland seeking asylum is not included in the homeless figures. That is simply a fact," said Mr Murphy.

He also said Mr Harris's claim the "single biggest reason people gave for presenting at Dublin homeless services was exiting direct provision" was untrue.

Pointing to the latest figures relating to homelessness, Mr Murphy said: "The largest category is notice of termination of tenancy in the private rental sector by people being evicted — and we have a Government that refuses to reintroduce an eviction ban."

According to the July report on homelessness in the Dublin Region, notices of termination accounted for 53% of families presenting to homeless services and 2% related to leaving direct provision.

In terms of single adults presenting to homeless services in July, 29% were due to leaving direct provision, and 10% were because of a notice of termination.

The homeless figures for the second quarter of this year, published by the Department of Housing, showed relationship breakdown was the reason for 395 family and single households presenting as homeless.

These figures, which relate to the whole country, also show notice of termination accounted for 351 households who newly entered emergency accommodation, while leaving direct provision was listed as the reason for 177.