Homelessness - Political gaffe highlights timely issue

It would be disingenuous, especially at this time of year, to suggest that it was other than a slip of the tongue when Minister of State Noel Ahern attributed Sweden’s successful policy on homelessness to its exceptionally cold weather.

His unfortunate remark was uttered in the course of his attendance at a “Make Room” debate in Trinity College, organised by St Vincent de Paul, Simon, Threshold and Focus Ireland.

The ministerial faux pas, however, serves as a seasonal reminder that there are thousands of unfortunate people for whom Christmas will be just as miserable as any ordinary day of the year.