'I believe in homeownership - I'm not sure you do': Taoiseach and Sinn Féin leader clash

Sinn Féin’s Mary Lou McDonald said the recent massive increase in house prices "locks out a whole generation of homeownership"

Mr Martin accepted that access to housing for thousands of people is the greatest challenge to be met and that up to 35,000 homes or more will be needed per year to resolve that crisis. File photo

Housing is the single biggest challenge facing the government but the delivery of homes “will be much better this year”, Taoiseach Micheál Martin has told the Dáil.

During sharp exchanges with Sinn Féin’s Mary Lou McDonald, Mr Martin accused the lead Opposition party of “sneakily” voting for housing schemes while publicly railing against them.