I, too, am glad to be able to speak on this Bill. I am as confused as many others. We have a desperate housing crisis that we have failed to tackle. We have debate in this House. We have ideology, really, coming from the left and a lack of solutions coming from the centre, which I have always been proud to represent, and the Government parties. Panic has set in. I wish the Minister and the Ministers of State well in this endeavour, but I honestly think we have lost our way. We should not be talking about RPZs here,…

I will speak again on behalf of the hard-pressed homeowners of this country, especially those in rural Ireland and in my constituency of Tipperary, from Tipperary town down to Cahir, Clonmel, Cashel and Carrick-on-Suir as well as the villages and rural houses. These people continue to be squeezed by this unjust and unnecessary local property tax. The Bill proposes to increase charges on the vast majority of households despite the cost-of-living crisis. We have also been told there will be no more cost-of-living sup…

Tá triúr cainteoirí againn agus tá ceithre nóiméad ag gach Teachta. As far as I can see, everything is an emergency. The housing situation has been handled so badly for so long that it is now a crazy situation. The Members from Independent Ireland - so called Saor Éire, the freedom fighters - talked a few weeks ago about 100% mortgages. Who can take them seriously? They got detached tonight from their leader, Mary Lou McDonald. For the past few months since the election, they have been clucking around after her and…

I am delighted to be here for these statements. We are all well aware of the housing issue. It is the single biggest issue and everybody knows that. I believe the Government thinks there is a panacea with Airbnbs but it is not. We had that before in this city where the Government closed down 1,000 bedsits - 1,000 units - and made that many people homeless with no place to go. I think the Government has it wrong about Airbnbs. The vast majority of Airbnbs I know of in Tipperary are solely used for holidays and are b…

I am widely supportive of the aims of the Sinn Féin Private Members' motion. We wish to do more to ensure that social housing stock is turned around and reallocated in a timely manner. I note in media reports over the weekend that Tiobraid Árann is one of the four biggest offenders in returning long-term voids. I acknowledge that large strides have been made by Tipperary County Council under Jonathan Cooney, and the engineering and other staff of the council, in addressing the issue in recent years, including bring…

I think there is only me and Deputy Nolan.

I have three minutes. I am fine.

We are missing one.

What is required is an ongoing maintenance programme for all stock to ensure it is routinely kept up to a decent standard. No house should be in such poor condition when it becomes vacant that it takes several months to bring back. Usually, it is only after a house is vacated that it would be considered for an energy upgrade to thermal insulation and heating systems, or a new window set. I believe the council should be continuously assessing their houses. The rent collectors are gone from the job, but they were alw…

Go raibh maith agat.

You are in full flight. Go raibh maith agat. Anois, ar ais go dtí an Rialtas. Glaoim ar an Aire.

Please, Deputy.

Please, Deputy.

Deputy, please allow the Minister to reply.

The Deputy will have the chance to speak shortly.

I will deal with the Aontú amendment. The question is that the amendment be made. All those in favour abair "Tá" and all those against say "Níl".

It is the Aontú-----

Yes. It is Aontú's amendment to the Government's amendment.

A vote has been called by the Government. It will be taken during the voting block on Wednesday night.

The other amendment comes first.