Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

More than 12,000 people are homeless. The housing policy has been failing for more than 14 years. The health system is in turmoil. Nearly 1 million people are on a waiting list for hospital procedures. There are nonsensical green agendas to the detriment of rural Ireland. The Government is seeking to reduce the national herd, which will cripple the farming sector – the very backbone of this country. There is a complete abandonment of our fishing sector, in particular our inshore fishermen. That is the Government's record.

The record of the Labour Party is the implementation of austerity policies that disproportionately affected the poorest in society. In government, the Labour Party supported cuts to housing benefits and the introduction of a property tax, while failing to address the housing crisis. During the Labour Party's time in government, homelessness rose by 145% according to CSO figures. Today's housing crisis has its roots firmly within the damage done by the Labour Party.

See this speech in context