Taoiseach criticised for response to Trump's comments on Ireland's housing crisis 

The Irish Examiner asked Donald Trump if he had any advice for Micheál Martin on how the State can build more houses at speed 

The opposition has criticised the Taoiseach for his response to Donald Trump's comments on Ireland's housing crisis.

During an Oval Office meeting between the two leaders, the Irish Examiner asked Mr Trump if he had any advice for Micheál Martin on how the State can build more houses at speed. 

Mr Trump, a property developer, said the crisis was a product of "doing so well".

“You know why they have a housing crisis? Because they’re doing so well, they can’t produce houses fast enough. That’s a good problem, not a bad problem.” 

Mr Martin interjected to say that was a “good answer” from the US president.

Mr Trump, gesturing to Mr Martin, added: “I know this gentleman, he’ll get it solved.”

The Taoiseach told the 50-minute press conference that housing is the "number one issue" in Ireland.

"The number one issue in Ireland is housing, to be honest, and I think was correctly pointed out, we've got to build more houses.

"We've got to build them faster to give the young people of Ireland an opportunity to afford to buy a house or to afford to rent a house. A lot of good things are happening. That's my number one priority."

However, Labour’s housing spokesperson Conor Sheehan said the Taoiseach "must explain" his comments.

“We know that Donald Trump likes to make news and break records, and it is shameful that the Taoiseach did not own up to his role in the greatest crisis in Ireland — the housing crisis.

"The Taoiseach’s reaction to Trump’s assessment of the housing crisis as a result of Ireland’s success is outrageous.

“It goes to show what those on the hard edge of the housing crisis are up against. A Taoiseach who laughs at the crisis of our times, a minister who has disappeared and his assistant minister proposing putting our young people in sheds, rather than focusing on delivering sustainable, long term housing solutions."

Mr Martin's comments came as CSO figures showed that planning permissions granted for apartments were down 39% last year.

Sinn Féin housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin said that "joking about the housing crisis is never "a good answer".

In a social media post, he said: “Do the thousands of people in emergency shelters think this is funny?

“Or those trapped on Council waiting lists? Or those paying rip off rents? Or those living in their parents box bedroom?

“Or those forced to emigrate?”

It comes as the latest figures from the Department of Housing revealed that there was a record 15,286 people in emergency accommodation in January.