The government is not treating the housing crisis with the urgency it deserves, according to Sinn Fein.

The party's housing spokesperson, Eoin Ó Broin, slammed Fianna Fail and Fine Gael for not supporting a motion brought forward by Deputy Seamus Healy calling on the government to declare a Housing emergency.

He said: "Yet again Fianna Fáil has been caught saying one thing and doing another. Despite all Micheál Martin's rhetoric about the need to build more houses, at every opportunity Fianna Fáil vote down or abstain on votes that would push the government to take action.

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"Fine Gael, despite giving the appearance that they are open to constructive proposals to deal with the Housing crisis, the reality is Minister Murphy is continuing down the well-worn path of his predecessor, re-announcements of policy and photo calls."

Labour housing spokesperson Jan O'Sullivan said: "I am disappointed but frankly not surprised that every single amendment to the housing motion was voted down by Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil. And then they voted down the motion itself.

"It seems these two parties know what they will vote against in the Dáil, but cannot agree to support anything – even in the face of desperate housing need.

"The Labour Party amendment included a number of important and practical steps to tackle the crisis.

"These included a major programme of law reform to bring down the price of building land, to make home ownership a realistic goal for many, and introducing a new and affordable housing scheme.

"The purpose of this debate was the housing emergency and yet this do-nothing Dáil failed to pass a single measure, making a farce of so-called 'new politics'."

(CD/LM)