Fianna Fáil leader Micheal Martin has come under criticism for his absence at the party's housing launch today, 21 January.

The Cork man was slammed by Fine Gael representative Colm Brophy for "lacking in substance".

Deputy Brophy said Martin's absence is yet another example of his desperate bid to dodge scrutiny on the issue of housing.

"Micheál Martin is pitching himself as a future Taoiseach. But when it comes to actually facing real scrutiny over the issue of housing, he opts to flock down the country to engage in photo opportunities and soundbites," he said.

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"Deputy Martin was asked to elaborate on his party's housing proposals on radio on Sunday. He dodged any scrutiny then, insisting that all would be revealed at the party's housing launch today.

"Well surprise, surprise – Deputy Martin will be nowhere to be seen at that launch. For a politician who wants to be in Government Buildings, he really is showing himself to be devoid of any substance whatsoever."

He added: "But it's not surprising that Deputy Martin has ran away from his housing launch today. Many of his own front bench, such as Timmy Dooley, Niall Collins and Seán Haughey, have been in hiding since day one of this campaign.

"We already knew that Fianna Fáil had no policies and no plan – but now we know that their own party leader is lacking equally when it comes to substance."

(CM/MH)