Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

They are asking families at risk of losing their homes and under huge financial strain to wait. In my view, this is simply not acceptable.

Sinn Féin's intention in tabling this Bill is to advance what we believe is a sensible policy that urgently needs to be introduced. I make no apologies for doing that here tonight. The only gazumping going on here is in the private rental sector as desperate families are being forced by Government inaction to outbid each other to put a roof over their heads. The only people being undermined are low and middle income families trapped - again because of a Government inaction - in over-priced rental accommodation or, even worse, in inadequate emergency bed and breakfast accommodation and hotels.

The choice before Deputies this evening is very simple. If they are opposed to rent certainty, then they should vote against, or abstain on, this Bill but if they believe that rent certainty has a role to play in tackling the housing and homeless crisis, then they should vote for our Bill and give some hope to the thousands of families who tonight desperately need it.

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