I thank Deputy Ó Broin for his work on this Private Members' business. The figures published by the RTB last week are beyond staggering. They are grim and show the highest level of eviction notices since the Famine. I do not know if the Minister fully realises the gravity of the housing crisis. A 51% rise in eviction notices means thousands of people across Ireland find themselves in the horrible position of trying to find a new home. If they are lucky enough to find a place, they will undoubtedly be paying far higher rents than they did before. If they do not, they will be forced to move back in with parents, to emigrate or, worse still, into homelessness. The impact this is having on Irish society cannot be understated. There is a whole generation out there being forced to put their lives on hold, couples who want to start a family and three or four generations living under one roof. Let me be clear. This crisis has happened on the Minister's watch. Not only that, but it has radically worsened on his watch. His blind faith that the market will provide has ensured one thing and one thing only - sky-high profits for developers and shareholders. Rent in Kilkenny and Carlow for new tenancies has hit €1,500 per month. I mentioned the Famine. It is a famine situation in a lot of houses because they cannot afford the rents, and they definitely cannot afford to eat. We have St. Vincent de Paul and others in our communities helping them out. Enough is enough. When will working families finally get a break? We need an end to empty rhetoric from this Government and a genuine commitment to accelerate the delivery of social homes, genuine affordable homes and private homes for purchase.

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