Eviction ban Ireland

The Dail heard that the eviction ban being lifted amid high rates of homelessness was 'a betrayal of ordinary, vulnerable people'.

The legislation would indefinitely extend the ban, which could be lifted by order of the minister if homelessness figures fall for four months in a row. “The question has been asked umpteen times – where are these people going to go? “There is a significant number of independents who are indicating they are going to vote against the Government because they are unhappy how they are handling this crisis,” he said. In sharp exchanges with the Sinn Féin president, he added: “It seems to me that you see housing not as a crisis to be overcome or problem to be solved, but as a political issue to be exploited.” Considering potential future policy positions is not satisfactory. The homeless agencies are hearing it, local authorities are hearing it – there is no emergency accommodation available.” “What would Deputy Ó Broin do?” Sinn Féin’s Thomas Gould added. Independent TD Catherine Connolly said that they plan to lift the eviction ban in time for April Fools’ Day and failed to see the humour of that, accusing the Government of “empty boasting” on housing schemes it introduces. You’re hearing it, I know. Labour leader Ivana Bacik called the eviction motion by Sinn Fein “compassionate”, and said that there was “no evidence” that an extension of the eviction ban would result in a reduction in supply of private rental accommodation. Repeating a call made by Mr Ó Broin earlier in the day, Mr Kenny appealed to minister for housing and government backbenchers to “turn this around”. In response to a non-binding motion put down by Sinn Féin, the Government responded with a counter motion that listed measures already taken and pledged “safety net” measures for renters who may be impacted by the eviction moratorium being lifted.

Many Independent TDs are considering their position on the vote, having talked to contituents who are in danger of becoming homeless.

"My biggest problem at the moment is the Government has no plan; for the past number of years they have been promising this, that, and the other ... Mr Shanahan said he had put forward a number of proposals before the Dáil recess, however, the Government has indicated that it will be waiting until the budget to introduce tax measures, which he said is a "mistake". Waterford Independent Matt Shanahan said he was "reserving his position", but he said the Government had "put everybody in a difficult decision". Noel Grealish, who has propped up the Government on crucial motions in the past, has told Sinn Féin that he will not be in the Dáil on Wednesday for the vote. Louth TD Peter Fitzpatrick said he "can't see" himself voting with the Government, but added that he would be willing to listen if substantial measures are put forward by the housing minister. Sinn Féin has tabled the motion, due to be debated in the Dáil this evening, which would extend the eviction moratorium until the end of January next year.

SINN FEIN president Mary Lou McDonald has called on members of the Irish parliament to back her party's bid today to extend the “no fault” eviction ban ...

And we could not let that go. All of them, therefore, lose a protection that was very, very valuable.’ “Anybody with any sense of decency, fair play or rationality would look at this situation and say: ‘We have got record homelessness.