Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I did not see him, I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for telling me. The protections in this Bill must be extended until next summer along with the legislation granting the powers in respect of the lockdown restrictions. I felt that was too long and that next February would be enough. Why do we have two tiers in this regard, however? Why are we only protecting families in rented properties who are at risk of eviction when level 5 restrictions are in force, and only for ten days thereafter?

Many people will be hoping that the restrictions will be lifted, but fear will mean those renters will be hoping the restrictions are never lifted. We have a blatantly two-tier situation. We are looking after the vulture funds and the banks, with Ministers meeting representatives from the banks and asking them to be nice. The moratorium should not have been ended. Such moratoriums are still in place in other European countries and several of them have brought in legislation to insist on moratoriums in respect of the banks and vulture funds-----

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