Apollo House homelessness
The Leader said Apollo House was not an appropriate place to live, praised the motivation of those involved, and urged engagement with service providers instead. He appealed for homeless people not to be left out over Christmas and began to respond to an ESB meters issue.
Apollo House was referred to by the Senator, as well as by others, including I think Senator Rose Conway-Walsh, but I might be wrong. The position needs to be monitored. We understand the people engaging in the action are well motivated. However, I do not believe Apollo House is in any way an appropriate venue or location in which to live. If one listens to people such as Fr. Peter McVerry and radio programmes-----
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It is better than freezing and dying on the streets.
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Will the Senator listen and let me finish? Emergency beds are available. The Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government has put in place a comprehensive plan. Occupying a building and providing home supports in an ad hoc way is not the way to go about things. I appeal to those involved to engage with the service providers in order that we can ensure people will not be homeless over Christmas.
Senator Michelle Mulherin raised the matter of ESB meters. I will be happy to have the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Deputy Denis Naughten, come to the House to discuss it.
On a personal note, taking off the hat of respondent to contributions made made on the Order of Business, I wish the staff of the Seanad Office a very peaceful and happy Christmas. They have engaged in extraordinary work on our behalf since our return after the election. I thank them for their courtesy, good humour, efficiency, diligence and professionalism, for which we should all acknowledge and applaud them.
I thank the Cathaoirleach for his courtesy and impartiality in performing his role.
I thank the Captain of the Guard, the Superintendent, Colm and Tom and all of the ushers for their good humour and courtesy and the tremendous work they do on our behalf. It is clear from listening to and watching them conduct tours for groups, including school groups, the amount of knowledge they possess and the good banter in which they engage that they are great ambassadors for the Houses.
I thank the men and women who record what we say, the stenographers and sound staff, to whom I offer my apologies if the terms used are wrong. They do great work. They are the silent ones in the House. They never speak, but they record everything we say and make it read better.