In its pre-budget submission, the American Chamber of Commerce Ireland has cited the impact of the lack of affordable housing on its members. The housing crisis, or disaster as the President refers to it, is impacting on the capacity of business to expand or in some cases to even be able to stand still and maintain the worker numbers they have. Dublin Chamber and IBEC have also cited the lack of affordable or available housing as a major concern for their members. Does the Tánaiste agree that the Government's failure on housing is inhibiting future growth and investment and is now starting to have an impact on the potential for jobs and job creation?

We have full employment in the economy and there has been very substantial economic growth under this Government. We cannot be complacent, however, and housing is an issue. There has been significant improvement in housing in the past three years-----

I do not agree.

-----without question. Last year 33,000 houses were built.

Read the submission. They do not agree with you.

Covid upset the first two years of this Government in terms of construction. Since then we have made significant progress but we have more to do. It is about supply and a combination of a whole range of programmes which we currently have in place. The bottom line is it is the only plan out there. I am stunned and shocked that Sinn Féin has never produced a blueprint for housing and never produced a plan for housing.

I agree with the Tánaiste that only a change of-----

We have to do more-----

-----government is going to improve the situation. I absolutely agree.

-----to enhance the number of houses. Sinn Féin is all sound and fury and no substance.

I asked a very straight question. If the Tánaiste does not understand the impact of the issue that they have created-----

I understand fully and I appreciate-----

-----then they will never fix it and all of the available evidence suggests that the Government will never fix it.

No. Sinn Féin needs to do more-----

People understood at the local elections.

Are you blaming the Opposition for the Government's failure in housing?

No, I am not. We are making progress but you will not acknowledge that.

Deputies, please.

The American Chamber of Commerce does not agree.