Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)

On Monday, we learned that average rents nationally have now surged beyond €2,000 per month, a new all-time high. Renters in different counties are seeing shocking rises. Limerick, for example, has seen yearly increases of more than 20% on rents. The Taoiseach said earlier that housing is all about supply and we, of course, agree. However, he has accused the Opposition of having no new ideas and not being solution focused. We have offered lots of ideas. The Labour Party offered very clear ideas for a State-led intervention to resolve the housing supply crisis. We also offered a renter's rights Bill to ensure renters have better security and protections against rent increases. What we are hearing from the Government is no new ideas, no solutions and the same failed policies repackaged and re-announced, but not reformed.

See this speech in context