We move now to Questions on Policy or Legislation. I ask again that all Deputies be respectful or some people will be left out. There were 67 applicants and 18 were chosen. We do not have enough time to take 18, so please be respectful. I call Deputy McDonald.

As we know, the Government is all over the place on housing. As people sleep overnight in their cars hoping to get the chance to buy a home of their own, the Minister for housing, Deputy James Browne, went on television and admitted the Government's housing plan is failing. He stated that the Government is unlikely to meet its target of 41,000 homes this year and that the ESRI's projection of 34,000 units is more likely. This is a shortfall of 7,000. Of course, missing housing targets is the form of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael in government. Rather than misleading the public on housing delivery - which was their tactic during the general election - the Minister, Deputy Browne, is openly admitting that the Government cannot get the job done. It is as simple as that. There are no new ideas, house prices and rents are spiralling and there is record homelessness. Does the Taoiseach now accept, as the Minister has admitted, that the Government's plan is failing and that a major change in direction is needed?

As I have said repeatedly, before the previous Government came to office, approximately 19,000 to 20,000 houses were being built per annum. It is now well over 30,000 houses, which is a significant change in momentum. This is mainly because of State investment at an unprecedented scale. We have a clear focus in terms of what we need to do. It is in terms of maintaining and increasing public expenditure but also getting far more private sector investment involved.

With the greatest respect, this is a very serious issue. I felt that Sinn Féin's policies were all over the place and so did the people.

But you lied.

There was a figure of 40,000.

Deputy, please.

I want to put the focus on-----

Please, Deputies.

When we bring proposals, however, to the House-----

Taoiseach, does it regulate-----

Does the Deputy want the answer or not? It is not a back-and-forth interaction.

We will be bringing forward a series of proposals - the decision yesterday on planning was a good one - and further initiatives on housing. I hope we will get the support of the House as we implement those decisions.