As we close out the year, I thank those who keep the Houses running every day, including the ushers, administrative, catering and maintenance staff, and I express solidarity with the Oireachtas broadcast staff in particular. We appreciate all of their great professionalism and patience. I want to end the year by raising an issue I have raised throughout 2025, which is housing – the civil rights issue of this generation. I want to raise it at an EU level. This week the first EU housing plan was published, which I welcome. It puts housing firmly on the European agenda, giving the EU real proposals to act to deliver affordable homes. I commend the immense contribution of my colleague, our MEP, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin and his S and D Group colleagues who delivered the first ever EU Commissioner for housing. Without them, this report would not exist. We all acknowledge that housing is not just a serious and vital national issue; it is a European one. When food security was threatened, the EU responded with the Common Agricultural Policy. Now the EU must act to guarantee housing security for all. There are welcome proposals in the report but we need more ambition from the Commission, governments,and the entire EU. As Ireland will host the European Presidency next year, will the Tánaiste commit to hosting an EU housing summit in Ireland? Will he make housing a central theme of the Presidency and action on this report a central purpose and goal of our Presidency?

Sentiment score: 0.29