I was listening to “Morning Ireland” this morning, and I encourage everyone to listen back to it. From it, I learned that the Minister for housing does not believe in housing targets. He does not believe in housing forecasts. I always knew he did not believe in delivering affordable housing. What I also heard is that he went on to describe the increase in house prices as “a little thing”. How arrogant can he be to describe it like that? They are his words. I ask the Taoiseach to listen back. House prices have gone up by €200,000. They have doubled under the Government’s watch in the past ten years. Maybe that is a little thing for Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and all their buddies with loads of money, but for all the hard-working people, it is not a little thing. Does the Taoiseach agree with the Minister for housing or does he believe that €200,000, and the doubling of house prices in ten years, is a little thing?

The time is up. I call the Taoiseach to respond.

I listened to the interview as well, so I do not have to. I thought it was a very calm but determined presentation by the Minister.

Did you?

I did, actually, particularly in terms of the achievements in social housing, which the Deputy ignored. I mean, 60,000 social houses in the past five years is no mean thing. It is a significant, dramatic change from what we were doing previously. Close to 60,000 social houses have been built since 2020, and that takes in the Covid period as well.

House prices have doubled.

I cannot command the answer but I can ask the Deputy to stop interrupting.

The Deputy is endeavouring to undermine the sincerity-----

I asked a straightforward question.

Irrespective of his political view, he should acknowledge the integrity, sincerity and commitment of the Minister to increase housing supply, which was clearly what he said throughout that interview. Supply, supply, supply, and I really want the Deputy's support when it comes to various projects.

Is the doubling of house prices a little thing? That is the question I asked. I did not get an answer.

Deputy Rice is on his feet. Please have respect for Deputy Rice.