I welcome that. However, the point is that I do not see that the roles of NATO and Russia are comparable. Some 130,000 troops amassed on the border is a fairly intimidating prospect for any country and it is not justified. There are security issues that Russia can justifiably seek assurances on and dialogue is the best way to do that. There are well-worn international mechanisms for such dialogue, particularly in respect of the overall security architecture in Europe. The amassing of such a large force is very worr…

-----and should not be equivocated on either. There are issues in eastern Europe. We have the luxury of telling them how they should live and protect themselves but they are entitled, as democratic states, to organise their protection. They have fears and genuine vulnerabilities because of past experiences and we should acknowledge that. That said, sensible people should sit around a table. I pay tribute to President Macron for the work he has been doing and to the German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, who is engaging an…

I do. My view is that, generally speaking, the United Kingdom is our nearest neighbour and so we should get on with the United Kingdom and have a good relationship with it. Thankfully, in the last 30 years we have transformed relations with the United Kingdom, which is very positive. With regard to Deputy Ó Laoghaire's point, there is a long history with the UK and Ireland. We are good neighbours and we should maintain that good neighbourliness and co-operation across the board. When Ireland was hit with a massive …

I propose to take Questions Nos. 18 to 23, inclusive, together. The economic recovery plan, launched in June 2021, is helping to drive a jobs-rich recovery and support the transition towards a decarbonised and digital economy. It includes an overarching ambition of 2.5 million people in work by 2024. Crucially, these jobs will be more productive, innovative, resilient and in new areas of opportunity, aligned with our green and digital ambitions. The plan included labour market and enterprise supports, which budget …

In terms of online safety, very significant progress has been made. The Minister, Deputy Catherine Martin, as Deputy Ó Laoghaire will be aware, recently brought a memorandum to Government on that issue, in terms of establishing a commission - an online safety regulator. That was approved by Cabinet. There is a range of work that still has to be undertaken. It is a mammoth task because it is also linked in with the Future of Media Commission. In terms of online safety, on that issue around the individual complaints …

-----the multitude of ideas people have in regard to this. Very significant resources will be required for this. Also, the legislation is continuing apace, as the Deputy will be aware. We will deliver this in respect of the safety issue because it is very important for citizens in respect of the harm that can be done online to people. There is no question, in regard to bullying, in particular, of young people, that it is a matter of the gravest concern and we have to get it right. It makes sense to set up an expert…

There is a three-pronged approach being undertaken by the Minister in respect of the broader issue of social housing. There was a modest change recently in some counties, where the income threshold was increased, but not enough in terms of it not being a national decision. The Minister is continuing to consider that in regard to the income threshold for social housing.

I thank the Deputy for raising the question and the issue. The Government came into office more than a year and a half ago, and I have made it clear that housing is the key social issue facing our country and society. Ireland needs, on average, 33,000 homes constructed per annum right out until 2030. These homes are needed to satisfy demand for housing across all four types of tenure: affordable, social, private rental and private ownership. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, in the context o…

The answer is more supply. We need more supply and to build more houses. A total of 20,000 were completed last year, when the Covid lockdown hit us, and we hope to reach a figure of 25,000 in 2022. However, the target in Housing for All is to get to 33,000 houses every year. That is what we need to get to. We need it across all types of housing: private housing, public housing to an unprecedented degree, affordable housing and cost-rental housing. Deputy McDonald quoted daft.ie . On the key page, the author states,…

There has been a detailed dive in the policy underpinning Housing for All regarding the various tenure types. We now need to get on with it and allow the houses to be built. That is a sincere point I am making. If we all agree this is a crisis, we are not going to solve it with 20,000 or 25,000 units per year; we need 33,000, at a minimum, per year.

No.

There is no doubt in my mind that Sinn Féin's policies would restrict rental supply in the next number of years-----

-----and would actually cause rents to go up. The Deputy knows that. She mentioned houses. She knows well we have already taken steps, both legislative and through taxation, that do not allow for bulk buying of houses and for homes in housing estates.

It does not, and the Deputy knows it.

An Bord Pleanála has followed up in terms of recent decisions in relation to that. The Mullen Park project in Maynooth did not proceed. We are talking here about the other report that was referenced this morning in terms of apartments and so on. That is the context. There cannot be bulk buying of houses and homes and so on in this State.

I know that.

I do understand it.

I think the fundamental point is one of supply. Sinn Féin has consistently ignored it, because it is playing the political sloganeering game. It is into exploiting the issue for sake of electoral gain. I know that.

The real issue in supply is that at different times and different stages, the Sinn Féin spokesman and others will advocate for private developments and say they want them. What we are saying in Housing for All is that 33,000 houses are required. Social housing of up to 10,000 units will be required and we are providing funding for it. It is likewise, with affordable housing. There will also be a need for private rental. If we restrict supply, the rents will go up, as sure as night follows day.

We need supply.