County Louth has seen the highest increase in rents at over 17%. I raised this issue with the Taoiseach several months ago when I asked him to include Louth in the rent pressure zones. It appears that the Taoiseach has not acted on that. I also made him aware that there were over 4,000 people on the housing list in County Louth, that there is a chronic shortage of private rental accommodation and that the little accommodation that is there is either unaffordable to most or landlords will not accept the housing assistance payment. Perhaps the Taoiseach does not give a damn about it. If this is not the case, will he give a commitment here today to include County Louth in the rent pressure zones given that it has the highest increase in rents and will he give a date as to when he will do that?

The Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government monitors these things on a regular basis. The special housing unit in the Department has full access to all rent increases, which is why the Minister has already expanded the rent pressure zones. I will bring Deputy Munster's comment to the Minister's attention today.