Taoiseach and Housing Minister meet council CEOs over housing crisis

The Taoiseach has suggested using vacant homes won’t be the answer to the housing crisis.

Leo Varadkar and the Housing Minister met with CEOs of local councils this morning to discuss the issue.

Protesters greeted Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy this morning, calling for action to end the housing crisis.

Anthony Flynn from Inner City Helping Homeless wasn’t impressed.

The meeting with council CEOs is ongoing here – and parts of the government’s plans to end homelessness will be unveiled later this afternoon.

Leaving the meeting earlier Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said he got the impression from the councils that vacant home numbers have been inflated.

A number of protests have been held outside this meeting

Sinn Féin councillor Daithi Doolan chained himself to the fences at the entrance this morning, and called for immediate action

The meeting continues this afternoon with more detail expected later.