First up was Fianna Fáil’s Barry Cowen who raised the country’s housing crisis and asked how yesterday’s mortgage rules are really supposed to make a dent in that.

Fitzgerald said first-time buyers will now see an easing of the rules and that is to be welcomed. She said there is also expected to be an impact on supply – though this will be monitored.

She also told TDs that the government is working on the homeless crisis, with a particular focus on getting families out of hotels.

Deputy Cowen reminds us that just 22 of the 500 modular homes promised have been constructed…

And Frances Fitzgerald hits back, telling Cowen this crisis is “one of the most scarring legacies left behind” by his party. Ouch.

Sinn Féin’s Eoin Ó Broin is talking about the fact that a chairperson was appointed to the Oireachtas Water Committee without consultation with other parties. He’s throwing the phrase “stitch-up” around liberally.

Fitzgerald says it is necessary to set up this committee and it’s important to have it in place before the Commission’s report on the water charges comes back.

She believes independent Senator Pádraig Ó Céidigh will conduct the committee’s business in a “way that is very fair to all members”.

There is due to be a vote on this issue later today and Fitzgerald just asked the Sinn Féin TD why he is “afraid of the democratic process we’re involved in”.

Independents 4 Change TD Clare Daly has defined benefit pension schemes on her mind today. She tells the Tánaiste that there is a “catastrophic situation” that will see 600,000 Irish citizens facing “virtual pauperisation” when they retire.

She claims there is “blatant mismanagement” of these schemes underway and described the current regulations as “wholly inadequate”.

The Tánaiste acknowledges the issues raised are “extremely serious” and said if it is needed, further legislation will be considered.

Independent TD Danny Healy Rae wants to know what the government is doing about rising motor insurance costs.

He gave one example of an elderly woman who paid €330 last year and was quoted €810 for the coming year. When her son called the company to query the amount, it was dropped back down to €330.

This is an issue the government takes very seriously, according to Fitzgerald, noting the government will have a report with recommendations before the end of the year.

In case you missed it, TheJournal.ie managed to get a copy of the Oireachtas Committee report on car insurance – here are the details.

“We’ve enough of reports and studies – we want action now”, the Kerry TD replies.

He is talking about fraudulent claims, calling on the government to “put the fraud squad after them”.

And that’s it from the Tánaiste and opposition TDs – until next time…