Eamonn Maloney (Dublin South West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his detailed reply. The number of families becoming homeless will continue to increase unless some form of emergency legislation to freeze private rents gets priority from this House. If a rent freeze is not legislated for immediately, many families now in the private sector will be forced from their homes. Many landlords, as I already stated, are exploiting the fact that the demand for rented premises is outstripping supply. In reality, most landlords are increasing their rent without any link to the cost of living index. The sector has gone crazy and landlords have free rein, if I can use that phrase again.

It is worth reminding the House that it is our function in this Dáil to legislate for the common good. It is not the function of this House to allow landlords free rein when misery is created for families who are turfed out of private rented accommodation. We have a role in this and we should be here for the common good rather than the protection of one sector of landlords who can charge what they like. On 28 February, a motion in my name at the Labour Party conference called for a two-year rent freeze. The motion was passed unanimously, making it party policy. If the threat of additional families becoming homeless, and the misery associated with that, is to be halted, only prioritised legislation - the freezing of private rents - can be effective.

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