11. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on EU and international affairs will next meet. [37587/25]
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Aontú has raised concerns about the economic threats of the tariffs for quite some time. An Aontú Private Members' Bill sought to urge the Government to take steps to mitigate the consequences of the tariffs. In response, Deputy Alan Dillon, the Minister of State with responsibility for enterprise, stated that there is no threat to Ireland as regards these tariffs. I warned at the time that this was very naive and dangerously complacent and I hoped it was not reflective of the Government across the board. Since then, there has been a narrative change. Recently, the Tánaiste stated that there is a major economic challenge, and the EU trade chief, Maroš Šefčovič, stated that it would be almost impossible for US-EU trade to continue under a 30% tariff. Will the Taoiseach outline in simple terms whether there is a contingency in place should these tariffs continue? What does this mean for the people of Ireland and what does it mean for counties like Mayo, which is so reliant on medtech and pharma, for example?
Sentiment score: -0.14
There exists a huge chasm between Government rhetoric on housing and the reality locally. I draw the Taoiseach's attention to the housing situation in Mayo. The first home scheme, introduced in 2022, has delivered, on average, just six houses each year across the county. The affordable housing scheme, introduced in 2019, has delivered just five units, which is less than one per year. The cost-rental scheme in Mayo has delivered no housing units. There were hundreds of applications for the vacant property grant but just 83 payouts. Only four houses transitioned into the mortgage-to-rent scheme. The tenant in situ scheme has, in effect, ceased in Mayo, which is causing great difficulty. This is the reality locally in Mayo. Five affordable housing units were delivered. Deputy Séamus McGrath mentioned affordable housing targets. In fact, there are no targets for affordable housing. That is the reality. The Government must introduce targets and apply some urgency in regard to the provision of affordable housing. Most of Mayo is not even considered for affordable housing. Claremorris, Ballina and Castlebar still have no affordable housing.
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Housing delivery has collapsed under Fianna Fáil. This is a very serious issue. I ask the Taoiseach to please not deflect and to give us the reality.
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Will he actually address this issue?
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What about all the other schemes I mentioned?
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