Homelessness is no joke, Darragh

Housing Minister is slammed for quip during 'humanitarian crisis'

- FERGHAL BLANEY

DARRAGH O'Brien was slammed yesterday for making a poorly judged and "distasteful" joke at a housing charity event.

The Housing Minister said, "have ye no homes to go to?" to the pack of journalists who gathered for launch of Respond's annual report on Tuesday.

He had been a keynote speaker at the presentation in Buswells Hotel across  from Leinster House.

The Minister had welcomed Respond's announcement it could complete 700 social or affordable homes this year.

However, he later put his foot in it with the joke as he faced the journalists on the hotel steps.

Aontu leader Peadar Toibin slammed the Fianna Fail Minister for his quip. The Meath West TD said: "This is a humanitarian crisis in our country.