Catherine Ardagh (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I wish to convey my sympathies and those of the Fianna Fáil group to the families of the 400 killed and the thousands injured on the border between Iraq and Iran, especially in the western provinces. It was one of the largest earthquakes to hit the region in the recent years measuring 7.3 on the Richter scale. It is a major humanitarian crisis for the area and it will leave many sleeping out in the cold for another night. Their homes have been absolutely destroyed and many of their relatives have been killed or severely injured. Our thoughts are with the Iranians and Iraqis at this time.

The main issue I wish to raise today relates to rising rents and house prices. A report from daft.ieshows rents have risen by 11% so far this year. We know that up to 55% of people's monthly income goes on rent, a vast amount of money. We see house prices increasing by up to 20% and it is difficult to see how people can save fast enough or as fast as houses are going up in value. Ultimately, the big issue is the supply of housing and how we ensure supply is increased. We speak about this issue almost every day in the Seanad, yet we have not really seen a solution. We have seen homeless figures increase dramatically, yet the Government does not seem to be taking this seriously. We need to see a proper affordable housing scheme, like the scheme Dublin City Council has provided in Poppintree. However, that has not been forthcoming.

I know the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government is coming to the House later today and there will be a wider discussion on the matter but I wish to put on record that it is absolutely unacceptable that we have continued like this. Every meeting that I have attended, whether at Dublin City Council or in the Seanad, has related to housing, yet nothing has been done.

I wish Martin O'Neill and the Irish team the best of luck tonight. I hope that we make it to the World Cup and that we have a good time celebrating.