It is now very obvious that the Government is desperately trying to avoid a situation where we will have a straight vote on extending the eviction ban, or not, as proposed by the Sinn Féin Bill. Nothing reflects more the absolute determination, or even desperation, of the Government to go this course more than that. The Taoiseach referred to a reasoned amendment. Has that been accepted by the Office of the Ceann Comhairle? What is it? I do not believe we have seen it.

Several weeks ago, before any Private Member's motions were put forward on the issue of the eviction ban, the Chief Whip agreed that we would have debate on the implications of the eviction ban being lifted and the impact on homelessness. After that was agreed and presented to the Business Committee last Thursday, that debate, which was supposed to take place later today, was withdrawn. That shows complete disrespect for the Business Committee and solemn commitments that were given on successive weeks to have that debate. One can only draw the conclusion that the Government wants to do everything it can to minimise the interrogation and examination of its policies to deal with the likely deluge of homelessness we will face if the Government succeeds in lifting the eviction ban.

Not only was the debate on lifting the eviction ban withdrawn from the schedule today, furthermore the Taoiseach has not responded to the letter I wrote to him two weeks ago, enclosing proposed legislation that we in Labour put forward, with an evidence base for the lifting of the eviction ban if and when there was a demonstrable drop in homelessness figures over four consecutive months. Clearly, we tabled a motion of no confidence which will be debated tomorrow, along with the Government counter motion. We are still awaiting a response to a reasonable and constructive proposal that we in Labour put forward to address the chronic shortfall in housing which means that many families will face a cliff edge of potential homelessness once the Government lifts the ban with effect from this Saturday, 1 April.

On several occasions it was agreed at the Business Committee that there would be discussion and statements on lifting the eviction ban and homelessness. The Chief Whip agreed to that. In fact, on several occasions we did not oppose the Order of Business because that commitment had been given. It was on the schedule for this week. Why, given the gravity of the situation, has the Government removed that from the schedule this week? Will it put it back on?

What are we going to do to get more gardaí to join the force and make it safe and secure so that gardaí within the force will stay the course? As the Taoiseach knows, 130 gardaí left the force last year and this year the same trend is continuing. It is no longer safe or a career people are happy in. We are not supporting them with proper supports such as body cams and so on. They need more resources on the ground to deal with thuggery and criminality. Above all, they need respect and support from the House, the Minister for Justice and the Commissioner who is not supporting gardaí in many areas where they are scarce on the ground. We need a full-scale debate on the issue in the House.

I can inform Deputy McDonald that a reasoned amendment has been submitted and it is being processed in the normal way in accordance with normal procedure.

So it has not been accepted yet, a Cheann Comhairle.

It is being processed.

I have received a number of letters from Deputy Bacik on a number of items. I am not sure I have had a chance to respond to that one yet, but a response is coming. She will be aware that it was she in this Chamber back in October or November who called for a winter eviction ban.

Yes.

She now believes that winter is not the basis for a ban and she has a new proposal. I have explained in the Dáil-----

We thought the Government might put measures in place.

I have explained in the Dáil why I do not think this idea of a moratorium linked to four consecutive months of a particular index falling is the right way to go. I explained that last week. I will be happy to explain it to her in writing if she so wishes.

I am advised by the Whip that over the past week and this week we will have 15 hours of debate in total on this issue, housing, and the end of the winter eviction moratorium. I think 15 hours is a lot. I think it is enough, but of course Deputies and parties are free to use their own time this week and when we come back after the Easter recess to discuss the issue, if they wish to have further debate, but 15 hours is a lot of time for any debate and we have a lot of other business and things on the agenda as well to do.

Garda recruitment is something we would be happy to provide time for. I do not think it has been discussed yet. Our recruitment campaign has begun for this year. We have set the target of recruiting 1,000 new gardaí this year. That will be tough, but that is what we are committed to doing. We are confident that the number of gardaí we recruit this year will exceed the number of retirements and resignations, so we will have more gardaí not fewer this year. While it might be unusual for the Garda, a resignation rate of about 1% from any organisation is not high. For most organisations across the public and private sectors, resignation rates of 5% or 6% are the norm, and for police forces across the world it is much higher.

We cannot keep people.