Aubrey McCarthy (Independent)

I wish to congratulate the women from the Kildare business women's network, Network Ireland Kildare branch, who are Leinster House today. I am not sure whether they have been to the House yet. Every year they do a fundraiser and I am the only male who is an honorary member of the women's business network in Kildare. They have had fundraisers in the past for the charity I am involved in, Tiglin, and have raised €20,000 or €30,000. They are a wonderful group of women who certainly deserve a shout out.

I also want to mention the decision from Dublin City Council yesterday about raising rent. I know it was a razor-thin decision, 31 to 30. I can fully understand why it is being done but the timing is a bit tone deaf in that we are coming up to Christmas and many people are experiencing the cost-of-living crisis. Two evenings ago I was in my own homeless café, The Lighthouse on Pearse Street. A young guy there lives in Ringsend in a tent because he cannot afford accommodation. He has a good job but he just cannot afford the rent in Dublin, which can be €2,500 for a one-bedroom apartment.Seeing people like that who do not have mental health or addiction struggles, yet are availing of homeless services that we provide, it is important that we watch out for some people like this and that we balance the decision to raise rents. Perhaps a phased introduction of raised rents over time could be looked into rather than putting it on before Christmas.