A NUMBER of demonstrations are taking place across Ireland today in protest of the government's perceived inaction against the housing crisis.
Protesters in Cork and Dublin took to the streets with placards and banners, chanting 'Shame on you Leo' and 'Murphy out', relating to the Taoiseach and the Housing Minister respectively.
'Shame on you @LeoVaradkar
Hundreds of people protest in Dublin against #homelessness.#not1home #MurphyOut #rtept
https://t.co/e4CvduopTW pic.twitter.com/1xJXFP1EES— Mick Caul (@caulmick) December 5, 2019
The protests come at a time where the ongoing homeless crisis is at its worst-- figures released by the Department of Housing on Tuesday revealed that for the first time in Ireland's recorded history, over 10,500 people are without a home.
@Independent_ie happening in Dublin right now. This little girl is marching and not one news station has coverage of it. Thousands have turned up but you show a protest about bingo. Says it all really!! pic.twitter.com/cmu6pfPmGS
— Gertie (@CummingsEadaoin) December 5, 2019
Protesters marched through both Dublin and Cork to voice their anger at rising homeless figures and lack of affordable housing, with one placard bearing the words 'Less Printers, More Homes', a nod to the recent scandal where the Irish government spent over one million euro on a printer which was then found not to fit in the building.
Protest against homelessness in Dublin happening right now! 🛑#DublinVisitorCentre #VisitDublin #DiscoverDublin #WeKnowDublin #DublinHomelessCrisis pic.twitter.com/2BaS4AAdS8
— DublinVisitorCentre (@DublinVC) December 5, 2019
Protest over the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis in #Cork city pic.twitter.com/J1VrhfV7Vt
— C103 (@C103Cork) December 5, 2019
Reports from Dublin indicate that barriers have been placed in front of government building Leinster House to prevent protesters from approaching the building. Earlier in the week, during the farmer's protests, a tractor was used to block the gates, leaving government workers stuck inside.
All access to Leinster House is shutdown because there is a housing protest due.
When acceptable campaigning from Farmers or environmentalists take place they do not face this.#Dail #not1home #HowIrelandWorks pic.twitter.com/eE6EJCc01K— Mick Caul (@caulmick) December 5, 2019
The protests are a reflection of many within the Irish public who feel the government do not have their priorities in order, with the recent announcement of a €22 million white water rafting facility adding fuel to the fire.
After surviving a vote of no confidence earlier this week, Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy announced that "the government will build more social housing next year than we have for two decades", but for many it may be a case of too little, too late.
