Sinn Féin by-election candidate in Dublin Mid-West, Councillor Mark Ward, has called on all other candidates to state how they will vote in next week’s Dáil motion of no confidence in Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy, if they are elected this week.

Speaking today Councillor Ward said;

“The housing crisis is the single biggest issue coming up on the doors in Dublin Mid-West.

“There are thousands of people on housing waiting lists, families paying out of control rents and people can’t afford homes. That is Eoghan Murphy and Fine Gael’s track record and he needs to be put out of office.

“One of the very first votes that successful by-election candidates will face in the Dáil next week will be on a motion of no-confidence in Eoghan Murphy so it is important that all candidates state publicly how they will vote on that important matter.

“If elected I will vote no confidence in Minister Murphy and housing policy next week.

“Claims from Fianna Fáil that this will cause a general election are simply not true. The Taoiseach can simply replace his Minister and his failing policy.

“The people of Dublin Mid-West know only too well the removal a minister from office does not mean a general election has to be called as we have seen previously the removal of former local TD Frances Fitzgerald from cabinet without an election being called.”