I raise worrying reports that the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality will have to fund the €25 million cost of the Garda pay deal from her own resources. Earlier this year there was much loss of life in the Dublin area caused by the feud between drug cartels across the city. It was clamped down on mainly through Garda overtime. If the Tánaiste must find the money from her own resources, I hope security will not be put at risk, particularly in the capital city. There has been great progress in clamping down on the drug cartels, not only in Dublin but also in Cork and other areas. There have been great successes in dealing with break-ins. We have seen quite a reduction in that regard in the past year, which I welcome. I am concerned about the discussions on the reduction of investment in Garda equipment such as squad cars. It is very important for rural areas that gardaí have proper squad cars. The Leader was a Member of the Dáil when we were able to reopen the Garda College in Templemore and put many new recruits on the streets. We cannot cut back on the training that is badly needed. Will the Leader to ask the Tánaiste to come to the House to debate where she is going to find the €25 million from her own resources? We cannot take a step backwards.

Like previous speakers, I want to talk about the housing crisis. There has been no change this year. It is sad to see that people have taken matters into their own hands and are trying to house homeless pesons in Apollo House in Dublin. I have to compliment them in that regard. It is sad that people are still homeless in 2016 and that the problem is getting worse. As so many patients are still on trolleys, there has been no change and it is the same with hospital waiting lists. The biggest issue facing us is that we are living in an era of what are called soup kitchens. There is no streamlined funding. For months in the House I have been asking the Leader and the Minister for Social Protection for some funding. As people are still suffering, we need to see change. People cannot afford car insurance. I am highlighting issues that are coming to us day in and day out that need to be highlighted because these are the people who are suffering and whom we represent today.

We have all received e-mails from Alone. It is important that as people who have represented the elderly, we look after elderly people and neighbours this Christmas because this is a time when many places are closed and people feel most vulnerable. If we do one good thing, it would be to look after the elderly and our neighbours and make sure we do our best. I felt 2016 was a very hard year when I saw all the changes and people suffering. We can make a difference in 2017 for the people we represent because people are living in poverty.

I wish everybody a happy Christmas and good health.