Housing

McVerry Trust will be compelled to appear for questioning if it declines another invite, says housing committee chair

Embattled charity and Department of Housing have been asked to face questions from the committee once more after declining previous invitations

Steven Matthews: “We have written back to three agencies requesting them again to attend and reminding them of the powers that exist for this committee under standing orders to compel witnesses to appear.” Picture: Fergal Phillips

The chairman of the Oireachtas Housing Committee has said he will use powers to compel the Peter McVerry Trust and the Department of Housing to appear before it if the bodies refuse an invite to a session again.

Last year, the Peter McVerry Trust was invited to appear for questioning by the Oireachtas housing committee amid concerns over major financial issues at the housing charity.

Earlier this month, representatives of the Peter McVerry Trust claimed it would be “premature” to appear before politicians and it could not discuss a recent €15 million government bailout due to conditions set out by the Department of Housing.