Senator Paschal Mooney referred to GSOC. Concerns have been expressed in recent days about access to journalists' telephone records in the context of criminal investigations being carried out by GSOC. We all agree that a free press plays a pre-eminent role in any democracy in fostering a full, free and informed debate on all issues of public concern. Therefore, it is of fundamental importance in any healthy democracy that journalists be able to carry out their legitimate work unhindered. Today the Government agreed to the Minister for Justice and Equality's proposal that an independent review of the law be established on access to journalists' telephone records. The Minister will make a further statement later today on the conduct of the review, the details of which are still being finalised.

Senator Paschal Mooney and many others Members referred to the RTE programme on homelessness broadcast yesterday evening.

It is not tolerable that in Ireland today we have families with children living in emergency accommodation. It is a legacy of the housing bust that we are working to remedy every day. The Government and local councils are progressing a number of more suitable property and policy solutions for all families living in emergency accommodation. Many of the problems stem from the chronic lack of supply of housing, which is causing knock-on problems across the property market and wider society, for renters to first-time buyers and low income households. Senator Aideen Hayden has mentioned on several occasions that housing supply is the nub of the problem.

Housing provision is a priority of the Government, as evidenced by the social housing strategy 2020 which sets out clear, measurable actions and targets, primarily to increase the supply of social housing to meet the housing needs of all households on social housing lists. In total, the strategy targets the delivery of 110,000 new social housing units through current and capital funding streams. Senator David Cullinane mentioned that we should have a debate on funding and that there was a need for greater investment in social housing provision. I agree with him fully. Given the pressing need to recommence house-building, approximately €3 billion in capital funding will be provided in support of the social housing strategy under the Government's national capital plan 2016 to 2021. In 2015 more than 13,000 units were delivered across all social housing programmes, representing an 86% increase on the 7,000 units delivered in 2014. While this represents tangible progress, in order to deal comprehensively with the housing lists, further ambitious targets will be set by the Government, starting in 2016, during which the target is to deliver 17,000 units.

This is not a problem that can be solved overnight. Planning, design and building must take place and they take time. Money is not a problem in the building of houses. As I said, the Government has made €3 billion available and I am sure this will be acted on by local authorities throughout the country. More than 2,000 units that were boarded up have been brought back into circulation this year, but there is a need for further advancement in that regard and all local authorities have been asked to co-operate. The provision of funding for housing is not a problem and where local authorities request it, they will be allocated money.

Senator Ivana Bacik complimented all of the Irish people and actors who had been nominated for Oscars and called for greater funding for the Irish Film Board. I am sure that matter will be addressed by the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.

Senator Ivana Bacik also raised the question of an all-party motion on cystic fibrosis. I hope we will have a wording that can be agreed to by all parties and Members.

Senator David Norris spoke about the need for a metro system in Dublin. The Road Traffic Bill will be brought before the House today and I believe another Bill on public transport will be brought forward in a week or two. They will provide ample opportunity for the Senator to raise the matter.

Senator Jim D'Arcy welcomed the progress made in job creation in Gaeltacht areas. An additional 215 people were employed in Gaeltacht companies at the end of 2015, while Údarás na Gaeltachta managed to create 533 jobs in 2015. That represents significant progress.

The Senator also acknowledged the progress made by Údarás na Gaeltachta in the implementation of the language planning process in the Gaeltacht in conjunction with community organisations. That is important work and we are all pleased that Údarás na Gaeltachta is prioritising the process in the 18 Gaeltacht language planning areas in which notices have been published to date. That represents significant progress, as the Senator mentioned.

Senator Sean D. Barrett asked for how long the Seanad Chamber would be closed for building work. He also mentioned the delays in the work being done at the National Gallery of Ireland. I am not aware of how long the work will take, although I am sure the House will be notified of when it will commence and what the plans are for us. The Committee on Procedure and Privileges will discuss the matter.

Is the Senator is going to Farmleigh?

No decision has been made on where the Seanad will meet during that time, but I hope the work, when it does start, will be completed in the time allocated and that we will not have any overrun, as mentioned by the Senator in connection with other building projects.

Senator Denis Landy has welcomed the all-party motion we intend to table on cystic fibrosis. He also called for the provision of funding for the Sean Healy Memorial Library in Carrick-on-Suir. That is something he could raise as a Commencement matter for the relevant Minister to discuss.

Senator Gerard P. Craughwell outlined the problems for residents of Millfield Manor and mentioned that the developer of that estate was operating again. It is deplorable when developers who have built such houses can be involved in house-building again. This matter should be addressed.

Like other Members, Senator Cáit Keane called for a debate on housing and outlined the progress made by the Government in many areas. I addressed the issue of telephone records which was raised by Senator Terry Leyden.

Senator Mary Moran welcomed the allocation of funding in Dundalk and also called for action on the issue of accessibility for people with disabilities, a subject she has raised on many occasions in the House.

I have addressed the matter raised by Senator David Cullinane of the need for investment in housing. I have outlined the investment the Government is making and intends to make in housing, social housing in particular, in the coming years.

Senator Michael Mullins mentioned the Caesar exhibition, a photographic exhibition highlighting the atrocities committed in Syria. He also mentioned the need to highlight the humanitarian issues we see highlighted so often on our television screens.

Senator Aideen Hayden spoke about housing supply and outlined the failure to implement Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000, which certainly contributed to the problems we are facing. She highlighted eloquently the progress made and the measures the Government had introduced in recent times.

Senator Paul Coghlan questioned the attitude of AIB in offering a higher interest rate on savings to German residents than to Irish residents and called for a debate on banking. We will certainly try to arrange such a debate, but as the clock is ticking, I do not know whether we will have sufficient time to arrange all of the debates requested by Members. I doubt that we will.

Senator Máiría Cahill also mentioned homelessness, an issue she has raised on a couple of occasions. She called for a debate, if we could fit one in, on housing.

Senator Michael Comiskey spoke about the additional funding of €2 million provided for a community centre in Sligo and the improvement of the streetscape in the city. I am sure it will be welcomed by the residents.

Senator John Kelly referred to the Boundary Commission. I will certainly ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to come to the House to debate the issue, but as the review is ongoing, I doubt he will come until it is complete.

Senator Marie-Louise O'Donnell described streets such as O'Connell Street and Grafton Street on occasion as being "a threatening and filthy dump." She called for a metropolitan police force to be introduced and highlighted the greed in the past and which is still evident where landlords are concerned. She spoke about the need to address it.

Senator Rónán Mullen raised the subject of elderly and ill people. He said that in the past care had been withheld in the United Kingdom and that we should refrain from any such practice. I can assure him that the protection and care of the elderly is of paramount importance and that they will be protected by the Government in every way possible. I can also assure him that the practices to which he referred in the United Kingdom will not form part of any Government, hospital or humane policy in this country.

I apologise for having neglected to mention the speaking times in the debate on the Road Traffic Bill 2016. Spokespersons will have eight minutes for spokespersons, while all other Senators will have five minutes.