Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am deeply concerned about Sinn Féin directly undermining the work of the CSO. Where does the rejection of the CSO's statistics stop? The Deputy will be questioning whether Jack really is the most popular boys' name in this country next. The CSO has fully clarified the rigorous evidence basis of its figures. I trust the Deputy has read that clarification. I call on him now to withdraw fully his statement questioning the accuracy of the work of the CSO. I believe I am perfectly entitled and right to do so. The Deputy is entitled to his own opinion but he is not entitled to his own facts. The national debate on our most pressing issue, housing, deserves better than alternative facts, twisting of statistics and a failure to recognise what is actually happening. When we complete 30,000 homes, the Deputy calls the CSO into question because that does not suit him.

On landlords and tenancy, there is a major issue with regard to the private rental sector. It behoves Deputy Ó Broin and his party colleagues to stop demonising landlords and to stop using the narrative that what is bad for landlords is by necessity good for tenants.

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