Fianna Fáil's new housing spokesperson, Darragh O'Brien, has been called upon to outline his proposals for tackling Ireland's housing crisis.

Sinn Féin Housing spokesperson, Eoin Ó Broin TD, said so far Mr O'Brien's party has "managed to avoid spelling out any key proposals it has to tackle the ongoing crisis".

"His party leader Michaél Martin has said he wants more money allocated to the housing budget," Deputy Ó Broin said.

"That's easy to say but, how much would Fianna Fáil allocate to the Housing capital budget?

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"How many social and affordable homes does Deputy O'Brien want to see delivered this year, next year within three years? What are the party's affordable housing proposals?"

Continuing, Deputy Ó Broin said when last in government, Fianna Fáil managed to deliver on average 5,523 social houses per year "while housing waiting lists and rent subsidy costs spiralled".

"What are Fianna Fáil's proposals to tackle homelessness? They have offered none of their own yet actively blocked opposition measures," he said.

"They refused to support the Focus Ireland amendment would have prevented buy to let landlords who benefited from tax breaks from issuing vacant possession notices to quit. 

"The issuing of vacant notices to quit are acknowledged to be the leading cause of family homelessness. 

"It is time for Fianna Fáil to step up to the plate and to stop hiding behind the confidence and supply agreement."

(LM/MH)