It was revealed this morning that the Minister for housing, Deputy James Browne, will jet off to an event on the French riviera paid for by developers, large corporate landlords and vulture funds. We must bear in mind that this is the same Minister who is rolling out the red carpet for these funds, the same types of funds that will make a fortune from the Government's rent hike Bill. Documents show that officials expect private market sponsors to pick up the tab for what is called the "Ireland Pavilion", from where the Minister will conduct business. It seems very cosy to me. Does the Tánaiste accept that it is a mistake to allow developers and big landlords to fund an event for the Government such as this and for a Government Minister to be attending such an event paid for by those same big corporate landlords and developers?

I think the Deputy would have a much bigger concern if we came in here and said that the Government and the taxpayer were going to pay for the advocacy of an industry body. It makes entirely appropriate sense that industry would meet the costs of its portion of any conference or the likes. In terms of any public servants attending, those costs will be met from within the Government Department. Contrary to the Sinn Féin view of the world, we need private investment to build private homes and apartments in this country. It cannot just be about State housing. We are spending more money than most European countries in relation to putting direct Exchequer funding into housing. I am proud that we are doing that and prioritising housing, but we also need private investment. The Housing Commission is clear in relation to this point. I certainly view the point made by the Deputy the other way around, in that I definitely do not think the taxpayer should be picking up the tab for industry bodies that are well able to fund these things themselves.

So it is cosy.