In light of yesterday's judgment by the Special Criminal Court, I think we would all agree that organised crime is a key strategic policy concern across Irish society. I commend the work of the Garda in the wake of the Hutch-Kinahan feud and note there have been no murders in the last four years in that regard. I also note that two convictions were secured in the court yesterday. The failure, however, to convict on the charge concerning the murder carried out at the Regency Hotel raised several questions regarding …

We in the Labour Party are glad to support this motion, which is the latest in a series of Opposition motions putting forward constructive proposals to address the housing crisis, a crisis that our President rightly described as a housing disaster. On 9 February we in the Labour Party tabled a motion with a series of constructive measures. We have supplied Government with proposed Private Members' legislation. As with this proposal, all of our proposals have disappointingly been met with a very dismissive response …

I acknowledge Mr. Noel Murphy, the outgoing superintendent, and thank him personally for all his immense support and friendship. It has been a pleasure to work with him and we will miss him in the Houses. I wish him and his family well on his retirement. It appears that the Government is now determined to proceed with the lifting of the no-fault eviction ban from this Saturday, which is in two days' time. While many Ministers were busy castigating the Labour Party for daring to offer constructive ways of addressing…

What am I to tell her? What are the measures? What is the safety net for my constituent and so many thousands of others facing homelessness in two days' time?

They are in the pipeline.

That is not true.

I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle.

This morning, the Taoiseach has engaged in political theatrics and performative anger. He spent more time lambasting the Labour Party than he did setting out what the Government has achieved on housing, yet he is accusing us in opposition of politicising housing. That sums up the problem with the Government. Housing is political. In choosing to lift the eviction ban in three days' time, the Taoiseach has engaged in making a political choice, and it is the wrong choice. It is a political choice that is catastrophic …

-----and it, too, is the fault of Government. If the Taoiseach loses the confidence of the House today, that is the fault of the Government. The fault lies at its door. We have given the Government an opportunity to right its wrong. The Labour Party and other Opposition parties have offered constructive proposals to continue the extension of the ban. For example, we have proposed in draft legislation the use of an evidence basis rather than a time basis for extending the ban. The Government has not even responded. …

The Taoiseach has acknowledged the immense shortfall in housing currently. In previous years, this country has delivered 60,000 new builds a year.

It is perfectly achievable if the will is there. The Minister, Deputy Donohoe, rightly points-----

-----to the achievements of the State in addressing the Covid pandemic. That is the scale of ambition we need now on the housing catastrophe.

We need 50,000 new builds and 50,000 refurbishments and retrofits a year.

That is the scale of ambition we need. The Government Deputies may laugh and scoff but it is based on the Government's own figures.

The Housing Agency and the Housing Commission state that is what is required. Instead of that, the Government has shown no ambition and we have been left with record homelessness figures. More than 11,700 people, including more than 3,400 children, each one with an individual story of hardship, are already in homelessness and more are now poised on this cliff edge. An elderly man in his 80s who is facing eviction, with no prospect of security in his retirement, contacted me in despair. It is unconscionable. The Lab…

The Taoiseach acknowledged that a home is a basic human right but his Government has failed to vindicate that right. He has presided over a chronic failure in housing policy, and for that reason we have no confidence in his Government and urge all colleagues in the House to support us in voting against the Government today.

I said it.

Exactly.

We do.

It is the Government's figures