The Taoiseach has rejected Sinn Féin's criticism that he was "joking" about the housing crisis in the Oval Office.
During the press conference, President Trump was asked about Ireland’s housing crisis, to which he responded that the country has a problem “because they’re doing so well.”
“Everyone should have that problem,” he added.
Micheál Martin then added, “That’s a very good answer, President Trump.”
An American journalist then asked Mr Martin what he would do to ‘Make Ireland Great Again’ and he said he would like to build more homes “faster” and that this was his “number one priority”.
Joking about the housing crisis is never "a good answer”.
Our people deserve better. pic.twitter.com/mbZjqLJYzd
— Sinn Féin (@sinnfeinireland) March 12, 2025
Afterward Sinn Féin housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin tweeted that the conversation had been in poor taste.
“Do the thousands of people in emergency shelters think this is funny?” he wrote.
“Or those trapped on Council waiting lists? Or those paying rip off rents?
“Or those living in their parents’ box bedroom? Or those forced to emigrate?
“Joking about the housing crisis is never ‘a good answer’.”
‘Of course’ - Ireland is taking advantage of the United States, according to Donald Trump pic.twitter.com/3jNQFutX6j
— NewstalkFM (@NewstalkFM) March 12, 2025
When asked about Sinn Féin’s reaction, Mr Martin said he takes housing very seriously.
“I mean, in fairness, I think Sinn Féin have criticised it and we have to be careful not to parrot Sinn Féin on every occasion,” he said.
“Because I equally said in the press conference, very emphatically, what I would really wish for Ireland and I said, ‘The number one issue is housing and we need to build as many houses as quickly as we can for young people to be able to afford to buy or afford to rent.’”
Last year, 30,330 new homes were built in Ireland last year - noticeably fewer than the 32,695 constructed in 2023.
Main image: Photograph of Taoiseach Micheál Martin with US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office (12/3/2025). Photograph: Tasos Katopodis / Government of Ireland
