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LAST UPDATE | 22 hrs ago
IRELAND’S HOUSING CRISIS was described as a “good problem” to have by US President Donald Trump today during a meeting with Taoiseach Micheál Martin in Washington D.C.
The President was asked for his opinion on the issue by reporters in the Oval Office, after greeting Martin at the White House this afternoon.
He said: “Do you know why they have a housing crisis? Because they’re doing so well. The can’t produce houses fast enough. That’s a good problem, not a bad one. Everybody should have that problem.”
In response, Martin said: “That’s a pretty good answer, Mr President.”
The Taoiseach’s response to the question was met with laughter from others in the room attending the meeting, which included US Vice President JD Vance and Irish Ambassador to the US Geraldine Byrne Nason.
Trump and Martin fielded questions from US and Irish media for almost 50 minutes this afternoon before they began their private meeting ahead of the traditional St Patrick’s Day celebrations.
On housing, Trump said: “I know this gentleman [Martin]. He’ll get it solved.”
The topic of the shortage in housing stock came up again when controversial political commentator Brian Glenn asked Martin what his priority would be if he were to launch a platform, similar to Trump’s, to ‘Make Ireland Great Again’, using the acronym ‘MIGA’.
The Taoiseach said: “The number one issue in Ireland is housing. To be honest – and I think was correctly pointed out – we’ve got to build more houses.
“We’ve got to build them faster to give the young people of Ireland an opportunity to afford to buy a house or to afford to rent a house. We have a lot of very good things happening. That’s my number one priority.”
Estimates from the Housing Commission, included in a report last year, estimate that there is a shortage of quarter of a million homes in Ireland. Under the Programme for Government, the coalition has committed to building 300,000 homes by 2030.
While housing stocks remain low and rents remain high, record levels of people in emergency accommodation are recorded month-on-month. There has been a 13% yearly increase in the number people living in temporary accommodation.
Martin sat quietly during a number of questions, as reporters from outlets in the US quizzed the President about the domestic issues of the day, including a recent report on inflation rates and proposed changes to the American Department of Education.
On issues relating to Ireland, Trump denounced previous American leaders for letting US pharmaceutical companies to set up factories in the country, claiming that would not have happened had he been President at the time.
Trump said European countries, including Ireland, take advantage of the US markets. In response later, the Taoiseach described the trade relationship between America and Ireland as a “two-way street”.
Martin said that not only has Ireland allowed American companies, particularly pharmaceutical firms, to grow financially, but the country has also provided an educated and diligent workforce and access to the European market.
Martin said that that investment has been paid back with the announcement by major multinationals to reinvest those earnings into the US through the construction of manufacturing plants and local development.
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They should get Graham Norton
Will there be a squadron of heterosexual couples on a float? All promoting their sexuality?
If so, that’s hypocritical and horrible. But I doubt there will be.
zzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Exactly Kardia, could you imagine the outrage if people had floats declaring “straight and proud”. You would have people giving out that they are exclusionary of gay people, yet you have gay parades and gay bars. Could you imagine bars advertising themselves as straight bars.
I couldn’t care less if people are gay or not but why the outrage that they can’t have banners declaring they are gay. Straight people don’t see the need to have banners declaring their sexuality so why do gay people feel the need to bring their sexuality into a St Patricks day parade.
Straight people don’t feel the need to have all the things you have pointed out above because they have not been oppressed and bullied for their orientation – maybe do a little research on the gay rights movement before opening your mouth
Do you know that person? Do they act that way towards gay people? If you don’t know then why oppress their opinion? They said nothing hateful and in all likelihood are on your side for equality. Think before you judge.
Do you know me? no you don’t.
What gives you the right to oppress my opinion? – I’m tired of people being “outraged” because gay people are fighting for equality and being told that they can’t express themselves.
And you’re having this argument with someone who supports gay rights why? I’m just saying there’s no need to be so judgemental and snotty towards someone for no reason, I’m not oppressing anyone’s opinion…
who’s arguing? I responded to a post which I found insulting.
Do I not have the right to point out that when someone states ” straight people don’t see the need to have banners declaring their sexuality” etc it belittles everything the gay rights movement stands for.
If he said I don’t see why black people should be banging on about their rights would you be so forgiving?
Why not have a fat contingent too?
Or an underage drinkers slot?
Or perhaps an non- Irish contingent?
I am sure there are many more disgruntled groups to clog up the streets on that day.
As long as the parade isn’t a platform for other rights groups, I don’t see what the problem is
We’ll said Ben exactly my thoughts
The parade is a platform for many, many groups marching behind their respective banners. Apart from the 130 marching bands and the Irish cultural groups, there will be contingents representing banks, corporations, local businesses, charities, schools, nations and ethnic groups, and clubs. Do you suppose Wells Fargo Bank has a lot to do with Saint Patrick? How about the United States Marines? The New York Police Department? Gays are a segment of society, not a “rights group.”
Wheres Wally goes to New York well at least we will know where he is on St Patricks day unlike most of the year when our Leader is missing in non action.
Who ordered a leprechaun to go?
It is nothing short of outrageous the way Irish politicians prostrate themselves before Irish-American money; no matter how backward and reactionary the source.
Fair play to deBlasio for boycotting. Pity are own representatives are such spineless gombeens.
Why should anyone be boycotting? Not every parade has to be a gay parade. Theres already a gay parade each year in new york. The St Patricks day parade hasn’t banned gay people from walking in it. Just a case of some over sensitive people takin offence to f all and making a song and dance about nothing.
It’s about being Irish not about being gay
You don’t see proud to be straight floats in the parade because it had nothing to do with lifestyle choices
Deisecelt & Foxys – religious leaders and military personnel march as part of their organisations in dress/dresses, so why should gay members of the Irish NY community not be allowed to March as a celebratory group?
Hes feathering his own nest. Hope this is the last Paddys parade he gets to boycott.
Paul because the parade has nothing to do with sexual lifestyle choices
I have been to the parade and every year the gay community hold a protest before and cause trouble
They need to except that this parade had nothing to do with a lifestyle choice and that they will NEVER march in the parade and get on with their lives
Let me tell you what is going to happen if they march
They run the chance of being attacked by neo nazi / homophobic knuckledraggers
I don’t want to see that happen and the gay community know there is a strong chance of this sort of vile attack on them yet they still want to march is it for attention or is it just selfishness do they want to disrupt the day for everyone else
I don’t want to know what they do in their bedrooms and I’m not looking to broadcast my lifestyle choice to the world
What’s the point
“is it for attention or is it just selfishness”
Maybe they simply refuse to be intimidated by fascist bullies.
Petr
Tell me this
What has being gay or straight got to do with the paddys day parade
And if they want to take on a few fascist bullies I’m sure there is an out of the way place to do it
But I would like an answer if you would
@Foxys. Gays by their nature need to be at the centre of attention all the time obviously!!
Foxy – that is not what I asked you. Please explain why military personnel and religious organisations are allowed to march in full dress/dresses, but the NY Irish gay community are not. By your own standard of acceptance, what has the military got to do with St. Patricks day?
Paul
The parade is led always by the 69th Infantry Regiment
Are you going to tell me that has nothing to do with Irish don’t embarrass yourself lad that’s why I didn’t answer your question the first time
Sexual lifestyle choices??? here we go again ..when did you choose to be straight??
Is it so hard to understand that sexual orientation is NOT a lifestyle choice?
I understand
People are born gay or straight
You choose to live gay or straight
You can choose to never have sex so therefore it is a lifestyle choice and nothing to do with paddys day either way gay or straight
Now do you understand
Foxy – i am far from embarrassed, but I fail to see how a military presence is representative of St. Patrick; don’t care if they are known as the “fighting irish” or whatever. Pleas explain their relevance to St. Patrick that makes them more representative of the current Irish community in NY than the gay community.
However, if I shared some of your views on people and their “lifestyle choice” I would be embarrassed.
So i choose to live gay..LOL no I don’t. Do you choose to live straight?
If I never have sex with a man or woman I am still Gay. It has nothing to do with the act of intercourse.
So therefore is not a lifestyle choice.
Now do you understand?
I’m not a fascist bully, I don’t give a shit what parade they are or aren’t in as long as they make equal amounts of noise as everyone else, I’m all for equality so be equally inconspicuous. Legalise gay marriage already so we don’t have to listen to this crap every day of the week. I’m sorry to say but it reminds me of the “I’m the only gay in the village” sketch from little Britain, the people who make the biggest deal out of it are the lgbt community (which I have friends from). Truth is most people don’t care if they marry but it gets tiring listening to it over and over so just legalise it so its not a thing at every single event everywhere and then everyone can get on and be happy.
Let me guess, now I’m homophobic? Too much political correctness these days, its ridiculous. You can’t say anything without having a label slapped on you. Yeah I’m the big homophobic with lgbt friends who I get on very well with and support… Such bs…
Well that escalated quickly
Seamus – you seem to be answering and accusing yourself. Do you also have the defence, I am not racist just ask my black friend?
who said you were Homophobic? No one. but to say that the people who make the biggest deal out of it are the LGBT community is incorrect. There is a campaign against granting gay people equal rights by groups such as Iona etc..who for some reason it is a big deal. So I’m sorry if you find all of this crap but it’s a big deal to people like me and my straight friends who support me.
I’m not going to get dragged into a Pissin contest over this the bottom line is paddys day has nothing to do with sexuality gay or straight simple as
I just saw the red thumbs flowing in and presumed that was why. As it so happens two of my closest friends are black and my favourite actors are black, my favourite chat show host is gay and one of my favourite comedians cross dresses. I’m not sure what you mean by that but I’m just making an observation of how overly politically correct everyone has gone that’s all..
well if you can’t stand the heat foxys ..LOL
As said above its a St paddy’s day parade. I just think every single thing doesn’t need to be a stand for gay rights. Of course you have to fight to get your referendum which is badly needed but sometimes just give it a rest and don’t bring it into every single thing. With so much inequality in the world today sometimes its nice to have a break from it.
Yes I do hear what your saying.
Enjoy your break from inequality I wish I had the same luxury
Well I agree 100% my friend the sooner the better. Best of luck and when the day comes (and it will) I’ll be sure to show my face at the polling station :)
HEAT
Don’t make me LOL
There is no heat you guys won’t be marching Paddys day end of
Yes Foxes your right it has not to do with being gay or straight. So answer me this why can other communities March proudly with there banners and flags celebrating who they are and the community they belong to you know football clubs cheer leaders business flots ect. But gay people can’t March with there banners and flags celebrating who they are as a community. Yes we are a community. If you can stop opcessing about what happens between the sheets for a minute you might understand that we are also a community. But yet we are band from marching as a community. And before you start banging on about how straight people don’t March as a community just because there are straight the difference is you can if you so chose to there is no rule to stop you where there is a rule to stop the gay community. Now that is discrimination end of story.
Foxy, Honest to Jaysus! Your comments are ridiculous….not just on this story, but all your comments on all stories.
This last one about it being a choice takes the biscuit.
It’s because of people like you that I can only take the comments section on this site in very small doses. Narrow minded, begrudger.
Ok …. People are born gay , it’s not a lifestyle choice it’s the way people are ……………but why do I have to have it rammed my throat with banners and flags
Would you like it “rammed down your throat” in another manner? Open wide…and remember, no teeth please.
Totally off topic Shane .
Stop promoting the the gay movment.
The beatniks in the 50s
the Mods n rockers in the 60s
the Hippies in the 70s
the punks in the 80s
the Yuppies in the 90s
and the “Gays” ever since …
Who is the most vocal?
Only one of the above is belly aching about wanting to March- and destroy the Patricks Day Parade and turn it unto a Homosexual Mardi-Gras.
Shame on them , go have your own march.
Ya but the two you just mentioned are as I’d personally perceive as being in the ‘public service’ category..not lifestyle choices! It’s true for the commentator above there’s already a gay pride march…calm down like!
It’s not a lifestyle choice. That’s a stupid thing to say.
It’s not a lifestyle choice. And show me a movie or TV programme that doesn’t shove YOUR lifestyle down my throat. Keep your sickening bigotry to yourself, foxy
You are wilfully ignorant
You haven’t explained what military garb is doing in a parade to mark irish pride . You know we’ve a tradition of neutrality, don’t you?
People DO care if we marry. They sue about it. They have ads in the paper about it. Sorry if you’re tired of hearing about it – let me promise you though, this is just the start. We will continue to make noise until people like you stop referring to us as ‘they’. Deal with it.
And sexuality has nothing to do with respect, which is PRECISELY what people who are gay are trying to get across.
I personally don’t care about such a pointless parade and I don’t thing a specifically gay attendance is useful or relevant – except insofar as it brings a few more bigots out of the closet and onto the comments boards of The Journal.
Foxy – I promise you we will. The days of little bigots are coming to an end. We will march one day and NOBODY will even notice. That’s our aim.
I’m just saying it doesn’t bother me who marries who that’s their choice. I refer to many groups of people as ‘they’ as do many others it doesn’t mean anything so don’t read into it too much, I’m on your side leave it at that. And by the way I don’t need to ‘deal with it’ the issue to me is that I’m still hearing this issue weekly when it should have been dealt with years ago, I’m sure you don’t like hearing it weekly either… I’m sure you’d rather it was dealt with. The LGBT community should remember this in the next election and use their vote wisely, hard done I know but that’s my advice.
Because there is prejudice and bigotry and hate and violence and suicide – it’s a reaction. Expect to hear a whole lot more until anachronisms like you are silenced. I’m happy that you’re sick of hearing from us. I’m delighted.
…yes “people like me” who support you.
Excuse me but silencing people isn’t very equal rights now is it? I don’t want anybody silenced, I think a St.Patrick’s day parade should be something that can forego the whole rights thing seeing as that issue has nothing to do with that day. Parade up and down outside daíl eirann all day for all I care, but gay rights doesn’t need to be involved in everything that happens festival and event wise.
I don’t hate you I support you, now you can ‘deal with that’ my friend :)
Zozimus, as you just said , you will march until nobody notices, ( That’s what it’s all about isn’t it?).
When nobody notices- that’s when everybody will be Homosexual -is that your aim?
The way sex education is about to be thought in the schools – heterosexual sex will appear to be the abnormal one.
Putin is right to put a stop to the PROMOTION of Homosexuality.
If you Gays are embarrassed about you preferences, that’s your problem , stop trying to make the rest of the community embarrassed by being Hetro.
The Gay community have successively hijacked every other media service, way over represented from tv chat shows, talkback radio,cooking shows, and family entertainment. I’m sure by now the casting couch in Hollywood is coloured pink.
Equality today, Privilege tomorrow
Honest to , John Bawn, you Sir are an idiot. What an asinine thing to say.
Ha, good old journal.ie.
it edited out where I said:
Honest to “insert preferred deity or curse word here”
Shane and Paul…well said guys, thanks.
John – it’s great to see people like you get that kind of prejudice fear and ignorance out into the open. That’s the only way we will defeat it. I hope you change soon, it must be a burden to carry around that much hate.
I see john that you’re not brave enough to use a real twitter account. Big man. Anyway – you’ve deliberately misinterpreted. When I say that one day nobody will notice gays it’s because people like you will have grown up. There will still be 8% or 10% of the population who are gay – that’s fairly stable, what will have changed is the ignorance.
Before that though , and trust me on this pal, we will make sure that no law, no organisation treats us as different or less.
Most people support this view – at least 80% – and growing.
And let’s stress it’s John Bawn you are talking to!!
Keep up the good work zozimus.
In general, I think it’s fine for the Taoiseach to march in a St. Patrick’s parade in the USA. It just doesn’t have to be the particular parade that bans a group from marching under its own banner.
why give this idiot bill de blasio a headline. probably the one time I agree with enda, everyone is equal. “F” the church and their homophobia, bigotry and sexism. imagine if there was a political party that was homophobic, hid child abuse, didn’t allow women and didn’t want people in Africa to wear condoms to stop the spreading of aids, would you support them??
Larry mate , you obviously cannot read. read why bill de blasio isnt participating you clown. hes not participating because gay people cant.
Gay people can march , just leave your banner at home
This continued gay onslaught is so ridiculous, I am sure that those offended people in New York can spend time with the Mayor and have a gay old time. Then everyone’s happy!
I have absolutely no problem with people’s sexual preferences, gay, straight, trans-gender or whatever. What you do or how you live your life Is your own god dam business…. But what the F has it got to do with the St Paddies day parade?? Why would he boycott it? That’s an insult in itself to Irish people gay or straight. St Patricks day is a celebration about being Irish and about our patron saint…. Is there not a whole other parade and celebration about gay lifestyle and/or pride???
I don’t know why they are making the St Patrick’s Day parade in New York a LBGT issue?
The catholic faith organisation that organises the parade created the issue decades ago by banning a gay group. If they had banned electricians it would an electricians issue.
”President Mcaleese did boycott the parade when in office
” Irish President Mary McAleese has turned down an invitation to be grand marshal of the New York City St. Patrick’s Day parade in 2011, the historic 250th anniversary of the event.
The turn down is said to be connected to the issue of gays being refused the right to march in the parade under their own banners, and McAleese’s strong relationship with gay and lesbian organizations in Ireland.”
-
- also if there are signs saying ” England get out of Ireland ” – as reported yesterday – then LBGT should be allowed promote themselves .
Larry Bird, you do realise that Bill De Blasio is boycotting the parade in support of Gay Rights?
Who cares what Di Basio thinks…
Bobby, you realise it’s nothing more than political pandering? De Blasio has already begun campaigning for the next election.
The whole country of ireland should boycott paddy’s day as an act of protest against our government whom ripping the country apart , looking after the mega rich , at the expense of the rest.
Gay people are not looking to March for gay rights. They just wanted the right to March as a community with there banners and flags. There is nothing to stop straight people from marching as a community with banners and flags if they so wish to. So why are gay people band for doing so? It is homophobic discrimination. The mare is not marching to hi light this fact.
Well said man
That’s fair enough, but the “straight” people marching are not carrying banners that state their sexual preference, they are carrying tri-colour flags to celebrate the day that’s in it! OUR day (Irish, gay or straight, black or white)
Dean you are not getting the point.gay people are not looking to March with banners stating their sexual orientation or preference as you call it. They mealy want the right to March as a community with banners and flags that represents their community. The point is there is a rule that prevents the gay community from doing so. Where no such rule exists to prevent straight people from marching as a community. So the logical thing to do would be to introduce a rule that prevents straight people from doing so or drop the rule that prevents gay people from doing so. It’s double standards.
we need proper gays? question who is the first gay to go into space? who is the first gay to climb everest?
surely these things more important than marraige.
theres a ‘supergay’ state of resonance that they must aspire to
What if he wore a rainbow tie, would he be banned from the march?
bow tie or regular?
Kenny the fekin shitehawke
And this will cost us how much?
I’ve seen more backbone in a can of Tuna
Go on Enda ya fxxxxxx langer!
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