Tairgim leasú Uimh. 1: To delete all words after "That Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following: "notes that: — the increase in the number of people accessing homeless supports in recent months is a serious concern for the Government, and through the implementation of the Housing for All: A New Housing Plan for Ireland (Housing for All) the Government is actively addressing this; — increasing social, affordable and private housing supply, for renters and those looking to purchase a home, is key to improving our h…

When its suits its members this week, they are calling the homelessness figures too low.

Deputy Ó Broin is entering a very dangerous phase of Kellyanne Conway-style alternative facts. That damages public debate and informed opinion. I can only imagine what the Deputy's reaction would be if the Government did exactly the same thing and undermined official verified facts from the independent national statistical agency and instead decided to cherry-pick unverified claims from a private firm that suited our narrative.

In particular, I am deeply concerned about Sinn Féin directly undermining the work of the Central Statistics Office, CSO, our independent------

Tá Sinn Féin ag déanamh é sin i gcónaí. I am deeply concerned. The Deputy can respond. I am deeply concerned around-----

I am deeply concerned about Sinn Féin directly undermining the work of the CSO. Where does the rejection of the CSO's statistics stop? The Deputy will be questioning whether Jack really is the most popular boys' name in this country next. The CSO has fully clarified the rigorous evidence basis of its figures. I trust the Deputy has read that clarification. I call on him now to withdraw fully his statement questioning the accuracy of the work of the CSO. I believe I am perfectly entitled and right to do so. The Depu…

The only measure-----

The only measure that Sinn Féin has proposed with regard to retaining private mom-and-pop landlords in the market is to tax them a further €400.

With regard to emergency planning, let us look to what Deputy Ó Broin has said in this very Chamber. We have already brought forward legislation to accelerate housing delivery through emergency planning. Deputy Ó Broin knows that. The Bill was passed in December but, at that time, he was singing a very different tune. He seems to have forgotten that he opposed facilitating the Bill being treated as an emergency and then he failed to support it in the Dáil. He should clarify whether his position remains the same or …

His party's councillors right across the country-----

------continue to oppose social housing on the ground-----

-----and continue to object to it.

If the Deputy can control himself for a moment, I suggest he look at the measures the Government has brought in. We brought in the winter eviction ban. As I have said already, we will review that ban but the review will be based on sound legal advice. We have provided a €500 renters' credit and will provide a credit worth €1,000 per renter this year. We introduced emergency planning powers, which Deputy Ó Broin and his colleagues did not support. We are focusing on modern methods of construction to ramp up delivery…

This was debated with the Sinn Féin motion last night and it was also raised on Leaders' Questions yesterday. The Deputy knows that the formulation of monetary policy is an independent matter for the European Central Bank. We are acutely aware that the ECB has hiked its key interest rates by 3% since last July to fight inflation. That is why it is being done. We expect two further rate increases. It is up to each individual lender to decide on whether to pass on those increases. The Government has no role in settin…

It is slightly disingenuous to look at this in isolation. The Deputy neglected to mention the cost-of-living measures we brought forward in the last budget, which was the most significant package of measures brought forward and more than even the Deputy’s party looked for. Sinn Féin's targeted measure, as far as we can discern, would affect about 716,000 mortgages. That party has not provided costings to us, though it was asked for them. We estimate that approach would cost about €655 million. It has to make choice…

It is not. I ask the Deputy to publish his proposals because on any issue, he brings forward what he deems simple solutions but never publishes costings or legislation for them.

You bring forward a motion. The reality of it is-----

-----this Government’s stewardship of our economy over the past two or three years has meant we have been able to bring forward unprecedented measures in relation to the cost of living and increased social welfare payments targeted at the right people.

The issue of non-bank lenders is a real one.

I have said to the Deputy, for fear of repeating myself-----