The National Asset Management Agency (NAMA) is being urged to team up with Dublin City Council (DCC) after it was revealed homeless families are being forced to leave Lynham's Hotel and to look for emergency accommodation elsewhere.

Sinn Féin Cllr Daithí Doolan described the situation as "unacceptable".

He said: "Hotels and B&Bs are already booked out during the summer season. The Department of Housing and NAMA have an obligation to work with Dublin City Council to ensure the new buyer remains an agent for the city council and continues to provide emergency accommodation to Dublin’s homeless families. I have written to Minister Coveney and to NAMA requesting that they meet with Dublin City Council to discuss this proposal.

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"The current Government claims housing would be a priority for them. Here is an opportunity to prove it; a phone call from Minister Coveney to NAMA and this current crisis could easily be over."

Labour TD Joe Costello said: "It is unacceptable that the sale of property by a receiver should be given priority over the lives of the people living in that property. The needs of people should come before the disposal of indebted property.

"The Government should legislate to ensure that in the event of a landlord or hotelier becoming bankrupt their tenants and guests should not be compelled to vacate their accommodation immediately, but should continue to be allowed dwell there while the property is being disposed of."

(CD)