Kelly: Peter McVerry and I have same agenda; no need for tit-for-tat on homelessness
The minister responsible for the homelessness problem has revealed he has not yet met one of the country's leading campaigners in the area.
Alan Kelly (pictured above) said he and Father Peter McVerry (below) had not been able to meet to discuss the crisis, although their agencies have been working together.
Fr McVerry yesterday said he had told some homeless people they were better off sleeping rough, than staying in dangerous hostels.
Minister Kelly said he would like to discuss those claims with Fr McVerry, but the two had not had a chance to meet yet.
"I'd like to meet (him). I've never spoken to the man," he said. "I've met with his organisation on a number of occasions. We've arranged meetings with him. On one occasion he cancelled at short notice, which is fine; these things happen.
"I'd be happy to sit down with him at any time. I think we have the same agenda and I'm not going to engage in any tit-for-tat."
