Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

All of our worlds are upside down right now. For many of us, nothing we did at this time last year is now possible. For many people, going to work is impossible and, for many of these, working from home is also not possible. These people, through no fault of their own, have become unemployed. Not one of us could have predicted that we would be where we are today. The stress, anxiety and uncertainty are unprecedented. For renters, this stress, anxiety and uncertainty would be compounded by the insecure nature of living in rental accommodation were it not for the decisive action of this Government and the previous Government.

As a result of this Bill, no renter in Ireland, whether in Lucan or Lismore, Clondalkin or Clonakilty, Palmerstown or Portlaoise, will live in fear of eviction during the period of these unprecedented restrictions. This measure does not just support their accommodation needs but also provides comfort and assurance in a world devoid of certainty. It gives people the security of knowing that, no matter what their landlord situation is, they will not be left looking for a new home while level 5 restrictions are in place.

There is, however, another group of people in need of comfort. Mortgage holders throughout Ireland have, unfortunately and through no fault of their own, lost their jobs due to Covid-19 and the restrictions imposed on society. They need the same level of comfort and the same assurance that they will not have to fight to remain in their homes, no matter their current circumstances. The Minister, Deputy Donohoe, has engaged with the banks and I know he is doing his utmost to ensure they play ball with people whose circumstances have changed as a direct result of Covid-19 and are already facing stress, anxiety and uncertainty. I appeal to our banks not to forget the people who bailed them out when they needed our help. Many of those people now need their help. I thank the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, for looking out for renters and ask him to continue to work with the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, to strike an arrangement with the banks that looks out for mortgage holders.

The Residential Tenancies and Valuation Act 2020, which came into effect at the start of August, already protects tenants experiencing rent arrears due to Covid-19 from eviction and from rent increases right up to 10 January.

This new Bill will protect all tenants from eviction while movements are restricted. I am particularly pleased that this Bill is set out so these protections will apply any time that severe restrictions are placed on people's movement, and that a ten-day grace period is included after the lifting of restrictions. This is the kind of action we need to take to ensure renters do not face undue stress in addition to the stress already stemming from Covid-19 and level 5 restrictions.

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