I welcome the news that the Taoiseach will be meeting Ukraine's President Zelenskyy today. It is very important that we reaffirm our solidarity with Ukraine, particularly at a time when US President Trump is intent on tearing up the international rules-based order with his appalling positions on Ukraine and Gaza. Recently, President Trump announced that he is intent on imposing a 25% tariff on goods imported from the EU. In the spirit of mutual co-operation and engagement, I ask that the Tánaiste, as Minister for F…

Every week brings yet more news of Government failure, as the housing crisis further spirals out of the Government's control. This week, we saw daft.ie report that rents have risen by a staggering 43% since the pandemic. At the weekend, right on schedule, we were treated to the latest top-of-the-head idea from the Government. First it was tax breaks, then it was beds in sheds and, this time, the housing Minister made a rare appearance to say he wants to appoint a maverick person to kick-start delivery of homes, a s…

I am very disappointed by the Taoiseach's response because he did not address the substantive points I raised about the need to ensure a State-led response to the crisis in apartment financing. Instead, he engaged in dismissing Labour Party proposals. At least the previous housing Minister, Deputy O'Brien, accepted that we offered constructive opposition on housing in this House.

We supported the LDA. We put forward proposals for transforming the LDA into a genuine vehicle for delivering homes at the scale that is needed.

Fianna Fáil refused to engage with us and the Taoiseach's dismissive and increasingly tetchy attitude in this House really indicates exactly why-----

He is increasingly tetchy, positively frothing with rage over some of the proposals we have made.

It is true. The Taoiseach may laugh, but it is increasingly-----

It is increasingly evident.

The Taoiseach knows that in the Labour Party manifesto we put forward-----

-----careful proposals to transform-----

-----the building of homes in this country. He would not engage and he continues to dismiss our ideas.

We are proposing a better idea.

I never disagreed with that

We have no issue with that.

Absolutely.

Yesterday marked the third anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. At this time, we remember all those who have lost their lives, homes and families in the brutal war that has ensued. We must reaffirm our solidarity with the people Ukraine at this time. On this sad anniversary, US President Trump joined with Belarus and North Korea at the United Nations, siding with the dictator Vladimir Putin, and voted against a resolution condemning Russia’s brutal war on Ukraine. It was a dark day for the United…

No.

No, it is not.

I am glad the Taoiseach acknowledges the need for greater investment in the Defence Forces. We are all very aware of that. On the triple lock, however, the Taoiseach continues to say that retaining the requirement for a UN mandate leaves us at the mercy of Russia or China having a veto. The Taoiseach knows that the legislation underpinning the triple lock enables a UN mandate to give authorisation to the General Assembly and not the Security Council. The Taoiseach knows this. Further, it may be imperfect but the UN…

On behalf of the Labour Party, I want to express our strong opposition to the Government's attempt to ram through this proposal to designate those who are clearly in government, who have supported the Government, as "Other Members". It is ridiculous to see the tortuous attempts the Government is making now to facilitate the Lowry lackeys by this attempt to shoehorn in-----