Sinn Féin has called on public representatives to work together to produce emergency measures to tackle the homeless situation affecting Ireland.

Mr Dessie Ellis said in recent weeks more families have been made homeless and mortgage distress continues to be a major problem.

He said: "All parties in the election said they would address this crisis. We must now work to address it together in absence of a new government.

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"However, the proposals put forward by Fine Gael this week as a basis for negotiation for government leave a lot to be desired and show that that party has not learned the lessons of the past.

"Tax incentives for developers and a sole focus on the private sector are part of the problem and not part of the solution.

"We need major social housing investment, controls on rent, new protections for the family home for tenants and mortgage holders and a cap on variable mortgage interest rates."

(CD)