SF and FF in war of words over Murphy
Eoghan Murphy FIANNA Fail has hit out at Sinn Fein’s planned motion of no confidence in the Housing Minister.
The party’s jobs spokesman Billy Kelleher said removing Eoghan Murphy from office could not help solve the crisis.
He added: “If motions built houses, if motions addressed waiting lists, we wouldn’t have those problems because we’ve had endless motions over many years on these issues.”
But Sinn Fein hit back with housing spokesman Eoin O Broin renewing his calls for Minister Murphy to be sacked.
He said: “Homelessness is up, social housing delivery is glacial, not a single affordable home delivered by Government in three years, so he needs to go and the policy.”
APPLAUDS HER PRO PARTNER GORKA MARQUEZ
They perform on Strictly dance floor
I’m worried he will get frustrated with me but he is really patient
KATIE
KATIE Piper has hailed her Strictly Come Dancing partner Gorka Marquez for his patience as she struggles to get to grips with the moves.
She added the professional dancer never complains about the punishing training and that she has set her sights on making it to the Blackpool ballroom in the latter stages of the BBC series.
TV presenter Katie, 34, said: “There have been really hard moments when I think I’m never going to get the steps.
“I’m always worried Gorka will get frustrated with me but his best quality is that he’s really patient.”
She added: “We’ve [trained] every day. Last night it was pitch black when we left and poor Gorka had started at 6.30am with the pros.”
They performed a waltz in the opening live show of the series on Saturday night when the couples were scored by the judges for the first time. Katie said: “It’s a relief to get the first weekend out of the way.
“The dancing is really physical – you feel it in your legs and the balls of your feet but like any discomfort or pain you have in life you just have to push through it. I don’t want to moan because Gorka never does.”
Katie added: “You take it day by day but I would love to get to Blackpool. I would be overwhelmed to get that far.” It could be a tough challenge. Katie and Spanish star Gorka, 28, were awarded 17 points on Saturday, putting them second from last.
The Strictly judges said she showed “lovely promise” but that she must conquer her nerves. Singer Ashley Roberts and Pasha Kovalev were joint top on 29 points. None of the 15 couples have been booted off yet.
■ The full interview with Katie is in this week’s TV Times, out now. Strictly is on BBC1, 6.30pm Saturday.
TV ratings in millions for the first live show of the series on Saturday