I can only surmise that the Taoiseach wishes to deflect and comment on Sinn Féin's policies because he knows he has been caught out. He has been found out. He spoofed during the election campaign. He presented a work of fiction. It was fact flexibility from Fianna Fáil. What a novel thing - not. Now he is in the hot seat again and there is an expectation of delivery and he is showing no serious intent, much less any capacity, to actually deliver the affordable homes that working people require at scale, and no real interest in taming runaway rents - far from it.

He is quite happy to listen to his lobbyist friends and all of his old party political mates who now find themselves in other places of influence.

Hear, hear.

Hear, hear.

The Government has missed social and affordable housing targets every single year on the Taoiseach's watch and the typical home, as I told him, is €200,000 more expensive than it was over a decade ago.

Thank you, Deputy. The Taoiseach to respond. Thank you, Deputy.

The Taoiseach claims progress but the residential property price index demonstrates-----

Deputy, your time is up.

-----prices are up by 8.7% in the last 12 months.

The Taoiseach.

You are failing, Taoiseach. Why do you not just stand up and accept that fact?

Hear, hear.

Hear, hear.

The Taoiseach, please.

First of all, the differences in our policy platforms on housing are clear. Sinn Féin would do away with supports for first-time buyers.

We would reduce prices and rents.

We are going to double down and continue our supports for first-time buyers in particular.

We have very different policies.

In the first weeks of this Government we have substantially increased allocations for social, affordable and cost rental by an additional €450 million.

But still less money this year than last.

Deputy Ó Broin, please.

It is still less money this year than last, Taoiseach.

Now the big issue facing the country is outturn.

Misleading the House again.

We are not misleading anybody, Deputy.

Less money for social and affordable housing than last year.

Is this going to be a constant-----

Tell the House the facts.

Deputy, please stop interrupting.

Deputy Ó Broin, I have heard your leader speak, through the Chair-----

Deputy, it is your leader asking the question. Allow the Taoiseach to speak. Thank you.

I would be interested in an answer to the question.

Thank you.

This is a constant behavioural tactic of Sinn Féin to prevent the Government side of the House from at least presenting its position.

When the time is up, the time is up.

The main point I was going to make is there are a number of options facing us. We have to get the private sector involved much more, as we know from all the lobbyists Deputy Ó Broin met. I also take the point that was made earlier-----

Your time is up, Taoiseach.

-----in respect of public expenditure.

Thank you, Taoiseach. Your time is up.

We need to increase public expenditure-----

We move to Deputy Bacik of the Labour Party.

-----on housing.

Thank you, Taoiseach.

Less this year than last, Taoiseach.

We have to try to do both.

Less money for social and affordable housing this year than last.

Thank you.

Whether it is a tax-----

That is the truth.

The time is up, Taoiseach. Thank you.

This is not satisfactory, a Cheann Comhairle.

Deputy Bacik of the Labour Party.

It is not satisfactory.

State the facts, Taoiseach.

Thank you Deputy.

Do not mislead the House.

Deputy Bacik.