Updated 10.40pm
TAOISEACH ENDA KENNY has said that he does not have any objection to meeting the former residents of Priory Hall.
The Fine Gael leader said he wants to be clear about what government is going to do and said he needs “a little time to put that together”.
Kenny was speaking at a press conference to launch Fine Gael’s referenda campaigns today when he was asked about the situation at the uninhabitable complex in north Dublin.
Former residents – who were evacuated from the Donaghmede complex nearly two years ago – have asked to meet the Taoiseach and say they are in the dark about their situation amid suggestions a mediation process with banks has collapsed.
“I’ve made it clear the government are going to do something about this,” Kenny said today, adding: “I don’t have any objection to meeting the residents.”
This differs from the view expressed by his Cabinet colleague, Environment Minister Phil Hogan, who said yesterday that he could not meet the residents until the court process concludes.
The Taoiseach said today: “I want to be very clear that when government makes a decision about this, we’re clear about what it is that we want to do in relation to Priory Hall.”
Kenny said he had asked for “a little time to put that together” and noted the “tragedy” in relation to Stephanie Meehan, a Priory Hall resident, whose partner Fiachra Daly took his own life in July.
Meehan has been vocal in calling for government help, she told one minister at the weekend: “I am sick to death of your excuses and your government’s excuses.”
First published 1.09pm
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