Sinn Fein divided over plans to put homeless in prefabs

Sinn Fein's Larry O'Toole

Niall O'Connor

A MAJOR split has emerged in Sinn Fein over controversial plans to accommodate homeless people in prefabs built on derelict sites.

The Irish Independent yesterday revealed that a number of the party's Dublin politicians were prepared to back the plans as an emergency response to the homeless crisis.

Sinn Fein Housing Spokesman Dessie Ellis TD told Newstalk radio that he could not rule out pledging his support until the final proposals are put forward by Dublin City Council.

"I can't dismiss anything, that would be wrong. We have a crisis," he said.

This week, a Sinn Fein strategist told a group of councillors that, while they should not "publicly" back the plans, privately they may be required to offer support in return for certain conditions being met.

"If the council sets them (prefabs) up as emergency measures we should also not oppose them, but ensure that the living conditions are better than the hotels and B&Bs currently in use and that they are temporary," said correspondence seen by this newspaper.

But the revelation that some members of the party were in favour of prefabs as an emergency response has sparked an internal party row.

Dublin's Deputy Lord Mayor Larry O'Toole (pictured) clashed with Mr Ellis, and said he was not prepared to back the proposals under any circumstance. "I'm totally opposed to this measure, as it would be treating people as second-class citizens," he told the Irish Independent.

"There should be funds made for the adequate housing of people, where they are homeless or on the corporation waiting list. But I'm totally opposed to this measure. I think it's an insult to people to ask them to live in prefabs on derelict sites," he added.

Sinn Fein's Dublin politicians are now set for a showdown on the issue of prefabs, after the clear split between members was revealed.

The party has the largest delegation on Dublin City Council, and therefore would have significant clout if the proposals came to a vote.

Labour, Fine Gael and Fianna Fail councillors have said they would come to a decision on the matter of prefabs when the council finalises its proposals.