I express my sympathy to the families of those who died tragically early on Saturday morning: Thomas and Sylvia Connors; their children, Jim, Christy and Mary who was aged just six months; William Lynch; his partner Tara Gilbert; their children, Jodie and Kelsey; and William's brother, Jimmy. Tara was also pregnant with the couple's third child. The relatives of those who died, the whole community in Carrickmines in south County Dublin and people from all over Ireland are devastated and numbed by this enormous loss of life, which saw an entire family taken from us. We cannot fathom the depth of the grief felt by the friends, families and colleagues of those who lost their lives. Images of the smiling families have been printed across every newspaper in recent days, showing how close and happy they were, and truly put into context the enormity of the loss. It is particularly heart breaking for members of the Traveller community who cherish family connections strongly.

I also express my sincere sympathy to Nicola Golden; her children, Lucy, Alex and Andrew; and the extended family of the late Garda Tony Golden, in particular, his parents, David and Breege; his sister, Mary; and his four brothers. He was taken from us on Sunday in the line of duty in Omeath, County Louth. We were all moved by his bravery. His last act was to help a person in dire need, a woman who was a victim of domestic violence. As a result, he made the ultimate sacrifice in losing his own life. His colleagues cannot speak more highly of him, his dedication to the Garda and his absolute commitment to public service and people in all circumstances. He was known as a true gentleman who showed professionalism in all aspects of his duties. The Golden family deserve every support that we can give while its members try to come to terms with their enormous loss. I extend my sympathy to gardaí in Dundrum Garda station who have helped me with my public meetings on crime, including burglaries. I know how dedicated they are to public service.

I add my voice to those of Senators who have expressed their sympathy following the horrific events in Carrickmines. Some homeowners - I emphasise the term - in south County Dublin have effectively stood in the way of the provision of temporary accommodation for the survivors of the tragedy. I was struck by the comments of a representative of Pavee Point when he stated he had never witnessed such depths of hostility and hate towards his community as he did on that occasion. That says it all. I am a member of the Dublin City Council strategic policy committee. Wider society must examine its conscience on the issue of Traveller accommodation, which dates back decades. This problem has not just been facing society since yesterday.

I welcome today's reports that discussions between members of the Government on the issue of rent certainty are ongoing. According to the Minister for Finance, Deputy Michael Noonan, his officials will continue their discussions with the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Alan Kelly, and his Department. The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Brendan Howlin, stated both parties were committed to finding a way to control rents. A comment I made in statements on the budget last night bears repeating: 700 families in Ireland are homeless and living in emergency accommodation. In July Dublin City Council paid €1.5 million to hotels to accommodate homeless persons. Undoubtedly, people and, in particular, families are becoming homeless because they cannot afford to meet rent increases. While my daughter sat on a DART yesterday, she overheard a girl crying to her mother on a mobile phone because of a €200 increase in her rent. That is a fact. We must act to stop this.

Uncharacteristically, I have nothing to add today except to join colleagues in extending my sincere sympathy to the family of the garda who was appallingly shot and on the dreadful tragedy involving the Traveller families. I would be less quick to judge the residents. The council acted outside its own planning system and did so within an hour and without consultation. It is awkward. My wholehearted sympathy goes to the Traveller families, but the residents expressed their sympathy also. It is a difficult, intractable human problem. It also shows that the original provisions for the Travellers were completely inappropriate. It was a fire trap. Any photograph one might see of the area shows this clearly. They were huddled in the most squalid and inappropriate housing. It is humanly understandable that residents put in a situation where something was being pushed through as an emergency measure within an hour or two would show hesitation. It is regrettable. There is a long history of neglect of the Traveller community.

I would be reluctant, without further knowledge, to sit in judgment on the residents.

I wish to follow on on the issue of Travellers and Traveller accommodation. Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council is meeting the Traveller group to try to find a satisfactory solution to the problem that has arisen. Everybody must examine his or her conscience. It is an emergency and the families are suffering. Money has been allocated to local authorities for Traveller sites, but the delay in selection must be taken on board. The Tánaiste said today that if local authorities needed more money, it would be forthcoming. That is very welcome.

With regard to homelessness, I support the remarks made by Senator Aideen Hayden. Addressing this is a priority and we must focus on the methodology. When one considers the expenditure of €1.5 million in July alone, one realises there is false economy. However, one cannot build houses overnight. Even if there is to be a solution involving prefabricated housing, it should be made available on the ground as quickly as possible.

I wished to call for a debate on child care, but this has already been done by two Senators. I look forward to the debate.

As spokesperson on the environment, the most important legislation for the developing world, the First World and the children of the future is the legislation that will be passing through the House today at 1 p.m., the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill. I hope it will be passed because we have been waiting for it for quite some time. This is a good day to mark in the Seanad in that respect.

I pass on my condolences to all of the families bereaved in the fire in Carrickmines and also the family of the late Garda Tony Golden. I extend my sympathy to all of the families involved, as other Senators have done.

I am sure there will be many calls by Senators for various Ministers to come to the House to discuss budget 2016. I agree with the Senators who have said the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Alan Kelly, should come to the Seanad as a matter of priority to take questions on what is a housing emergency in the State. Yesterday the Government attempted to bribe people with their own money in budget 2016. The hallmark of the Government in the past four and half years has been that the top 20% of income earners in the State have benefited every single time in every single budget introduced by Fine Gael and the Labour Party. Yesterday the top 14% of income earners gained approximately €900, while the average worker, on €20,000 or €30,000, gained only a fraction, or one third, of that sum. In no one's language is that fair, yet that is what has been delivered by the Government.

The property tax will remain, as will water charges. The promised free GP care which is being rolled out on the basis of age is not being rolled out on the basis of health need, ability to pay or income. Rolling it out according to age is not the way to proceed.

The real tragedy, however, is the housing crisis. How is it that €181 million can be found to give to the people with the deepest pockets in the State? The top 14% of income earners walk away with €181 million, while there are people dying on the streets and in dire straits. The Government should listen to Senator Aideen Hayden who is an authority on this issue. This is a national emergency. I agree with the Senator and I am not doing so to play politics. I genuinely believe she is sincere in what she says. We do not need to overhear conversations on buses or trains to learn that there is an emergency; it has been evident for a long time. It is about time the State, all Government representatives and the Opposition got their act together on this issue and sorted it out. I ask for a debate on housing in the context of what should and could have been included in the budget but was not, to deal with the emergency If I were to prioritise the invitation of one Minister to the House, it would be the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Alan Kelly.