One of the most basic functions of a Government is to keep a roof over somebody's head and keep the lights on. Yet, as we speak, after 12 years of the Tánaiste being at Cabinet, there are 10,805 people in emergency accommodation, of whom, shamefully, 3,200 are children. EirGrid's annual generation capacity statement published today raises concern about the State's ability to keep the lights on over the next decade. It highlights that the electricity system will continue to face a shortfall of supply over demand every year over the coming decade. It says the deficit will increase year on year. EirGrid has described the situation as stark and serious. That means more amber alerts and the threat of electricity blackouts remaining for the foreseeable future. IDA Ireland has said that energy shortages threaten inward investment, with businesses facing uncertainty over the State's capacity to ensure security of supply. The Tánaiste mentioned the Secretary General, Dermot McCarthy, has been tasked with preparing a report on how to identify how the Government has got into this situation. When will it be published? Will it be before the end of the month?

I do not think it is appropriate for the Deputy to engage in party political shots when it comes to housing or homelessness. Yes, it is true that the Government is providing 10,000 people with emergency accommodation at the moment. That is not a position we want to be in. Numbers had been falling for quite some time and for many reasons they are now rising again. Let us not forget that in Northern Ireland there is a Sinn Féin housing minister. The Deputy should not roll his eyes. It is true.

You were already fact-checked on this issue.

There are 20,000 people homeless in Northern Ireland based on the way it is measured there. I wish this were a simple problem to solve but, unfortunately, almost all countries in the world face homelessness to a certain extent. We are doing the best we can to resolve it. We are putting unprecedented resources into it.

Does the Tánaiste need another 12 years or 20 years?

If it was a problem that could be so easily solved by Sinn Féin, surely it would have solved it in the 20 years it has been in government in the North.

You have been in government for 12 years and the threat that the lights will go out is getting worse.