‘They’re just complaining from the sidelines’ – Kilkenny TD hits out at celebrity homeless campaigners

Kilkenny TD and Government minister John Paul Phelan has criticised celebrity homelessness campaigners who have attacked Fine Gael over the housing crisis.

Minister Phelan (pictured below) said he “did not see the point” in musicians and actors weighing into the homelessness debate, adding that they knew “little or nothing about” the issue.

“It’s all well and good for these artists like Cillian Murphy and Glen Hansard, who can most likely apply for artistic exemptions from tax, banging on about housing and homelessness but what exactly are they achieving?” Mr Phelan told the Sunday Independent.

“The Government is working on policies and using taxpayers’ money to get houses built – while they are just complaining from the sidelines.”

Mr Phelan’s comments came after Peaky Blinders actor Cillian Murphy appeared at a homelessness protest outside Leinster House last week.

Speaking at the protest, Mr Murphy said if there was enough “imagination” and “resources” the housing crisis could be resolved.

MAIN PHOTO: Fran Veale