It is the production that is the game changer.

It is not the charity element.

I am aware of that but it is a prerequisite.

In the poor south, it is a question of production.

We need a waiver for that.

Last week, the Taoiseach told us he will play a key role in ensuring departmental delivery on the commitments to end domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, and I welcome that. One of the most urgent actions required to address Ireland's failure in this area is our obligations under the Istanbul Convention on Domestic Violence, in particular refuge places. A report published by Safe Ireland during the pandemic found that, on average, seven requests every day for refuge went unmet because of a lack of capacity. …

It was announced earlier this week that the joint committee on the protocol will be convened in the coming weeks. We have been calling for this for many months and I welcome it as a positive development. As I have outlined many times, the protocol is needed to prevent a hard border on our island and to protect the Good Friday Agreement and the peace process. Where there are issues that remain to be ironed out, political leaders have a responsibility to resolve these through dialogue, and I welcome that the joint co…

This time two years ago, we were in the midst of a general election. The Taoiseach will recall the election was brought about by the crisis in health. It was an election in which workers and families, frustrated and fed up with repeated failures of successive Governments in housing and healthcare, voted for change in huge numbers. Now, two years on and in the cold light of day, people see that these crises in housing and health have only gotten worse. We have record rents, soaring house prices and 1 million people …

The truth is that no step change has been effected by the Taoiseach's Government.

What we have seen is more of the same. The proof of that is that house prices are up 14% and rents are up 8%. The truth is that the Government has continued with the same approach. Rather hearing an answer from the Taoiseach, he reached for excuses. I am well aware of the international context and of the inflationary pressures. By the way, the Governor of the Central Bank of Ireland has made it clear that this is not a momentary phenomenon. This is going to be with us for the next year. I want the Taoiseach to list…

Energy costs.

The Women of Honour came forward to share personal and harrowing stories of sexual harassment, violence and bullying within the Defence Forces. I commend their courage. As the Taoiseach will know, the women have been very clear in their call for an independent investigative statutory process to look at these very serious allegations. Despite this, the Minister for Defence, Deputy Coveney, insists that only a review will take place. The women have rejected this as a paper exercise. Women of Honour will meet with the…

No, the Taoiseach specified wage inflation.

It was not.

The Taoiseach spoke of a spiralling wage inflation at a time when people's wages are flat and those people are put to the pin of their collars.

Then find another model.

The Taoiseach could answer the question.

The Taoiseach should not trivialise this.

I would like the Taoiseach to give people answers to their questions-----

-----and not trivialise it-----