Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has heavily criticised the Government for what she described as the "endless doom loop of failure" over the housing crisis.
In a keynote speech at the end of her party's national conference at the Silver Springs Hotel in Cork city, Ms Cairns highlighted both domestic and foreign policy priorities for the Social Democrats.
They included concerns over the Government's immigration policy, delays to the Occupied Territories Bill and a call to put any potential Triple Lock changes to a referendum.
However, among the most prominent issues raised by the Social Democrats leader was the housing crisis, which she insisted the coalition is failing to address.
Watch: Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns says Government housing policies not working
She told party colleagues: "There are 17,000 people living in homelessness, including 5,000 children. This should never be normalised.
"I know that so many of you aren't planning for the future you dreamed of anymore, you’re deciding which parts of it you can live with letting go.
"You have heard so many promises, and been failed so many times, that you just don’t believe there is any way out of this mess.
"The real challenge for those of us in Opposition is not just to hold the Government to account but to come forward with solutions that are credible, costed and will work.
"This week the Social Democrats published detailed plans on our housing policy. This includes our plan to create a state construction company.
"Then they tell us our plans are too radical. Or will take too long to set up and get started. But refusing to change their policies when they are not working, is what has led us here - an endless doom loop of failure.
"We need to interrupt that cycle, reset and start over."
The Social Democrats leader also used her keynote conference speech to zone in on to highlight a new policy from her party to address the increasing illegal production of manipulated AI images of people online, including sexualised images of adults and children.
Ms Cairns said her party wants to draft a bill to give everyone copyright over their image and voice, saying: "It's time to stand up and fight back.
"Time to turn off the toxic algorithms that are feeding our children harmful content.
"Time to prosecute social media companies that are clearly breaking the law.
"Time to recognise the immense harm posed by deepfakes, and introduce a new law giving everyone the digital copyright to their own bodies and voices.
"So, they can’t be manipulated and exploited."
Watch: Time to prosecute social media companies that are clearly breaking the law, says Cairns
On international matters, the Social Democrats leader said it was deeply concerning that the Occupied Territories Bill continues to "gather dust in Government Buildings", saying it must be passed - in full - as soon as possible.
She also criticised the Government over its immigration policies by asking where the positive stories are from the coalition on people coming to Ireland, raised the plight of flood victims forced to "wade" through another flooding crisis, and called for a referendum on any potential triple lock changes, before turning her attention to the upcoming St Patrick's Day meeting between Mr Martin and Mr Trump:
She said: "The world is becoming increasingly unstable.
"Despite the so-called ceasefire, the Genocide in Palestine is continuing and aid agencies are still being prevented from saving lives.
Watch: 'We must protect our neutrality', says Social Democrats leader on triple lock
"Greenland has faced the threat of invasion and annexation.
"And four years into Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, Putin has been asked to join Trump’s so-called Board of Peace - an assortment of autocrats and war criminals.
"It is clear a policy of appeasement has not worked with the Trump administration.
"When the Taoiseach visits the oval office next month, he must make the position of the Irish people clear.
"We stand alongside our EU allies, we are not joining the Board of Peace, and we do not bow down to bullies."
Watch: Martin must focus on getting across that Ireland 'does not bow down to bullies' - Cairns
Earlier, Ms Cairns said Taoiseach Micheal Martin should use his St Patrick's Day meeting at the White House to tell US president Donald Trump the Irish people disagree with his foreign and domestic policies.
Yesterday evening, the Taoiseach confirmed that he has received and accepted an invitation from Mr Trump to meet with him on St Patrick's Day.
Despite vocal criticism of the planned meeting, Mr Martin said he will attend due to Ireland's economic links to the US and the fact he is focused on "long-term" relations.
Speaking at the start of the second day of the party's national conference, Ms Cairns said while she has concerns about the meeting she understands why it is taking place.
Deputy Cairns told reporters that "given the quite contentious things coming out of the White House at the moment, perhaps it's more important than ever to use this unique platform that Ireland has".
She added: "We're a small country but we're a really influential one. We can be a strong voice for peace, and I think Micheál Martin should use that strong voice."
When asked about the shamrock ceremony and whether it should still happen in addition to the meeting, Ms Cairns said: "I think the bowl of shamrocks is neither really here nor there to what's going on in the world. It's really a matter for him [the Taoiseach].
"I think what he needs to focus on is getting across that we stand with our EU partners, that we stand up to bullies and that we will not be on his peace board."
Today's discussions began with a session on how the party believes recent unofficial partnerships between left-leaning Opposition parties on matters like Catherine Connolly's landslide presidential campaign victory could create "a seismic change" in Irish politics.
Breakout discussions are also planned on specific policies, including those on housing, the environment and Irish unity.
Read more: Social Democrats will 'talk to all parties after election' - Cairns
There was also focus on the Social Democrats' two by-election candidates Mide Nic Fhionnlaoich in Galway West and councillor Daniel Ennis in Dublin Central.
Ms Nic Fhionnlaoich and Mr Ennis said they are running in Galway West and Dublin Central because they believe "things can change".
Ms Nic Fhionnlaoich, who is a Gaelgoir from Co Galway and parliamentary assistant to TD Sinéad Gibney, said her focus will be on improving services in the area.
She said this included the need for "a proper single-tier health service" and improved transport and other services.
Mr Ennis, who is a councillor and Dublin Central by-election candidate, said his focus is on providing a "positive change" to the area.
He said this includes addressing the homelessness crisis, which he said "isn't a housing crisis - it's a housing disaster".
