Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour) | Oireachtas source

A report published today by the European Committee of Social Rights, which is part of the Council of Europe, criticises the standards of local authority housing and Traveller accommodation. It states that Ireland is in breach of Article 16 of the European Social Charter. What are the Taoiseach's views on this issue? How will he address it?

On the Residential Tenancies Bill 2021, to which reference has been made, we need to decouple the eviction ban from the 5 km limit so that when that limit is changed, it will not lead to the eviction of families. Many Deputies have highlighted this issue. What action will the Taoiseach take on it?

On the Land Development Agency Bill, a principal concern of the Labour Party is that the Land Development Agency cannot sell off mass swathes of public land and ensure that 100% of the land is used for social and affordable housing. There is real fear that parts of sites will be privatised and sold off for further and more expensive housing. The Bill also strips away powers from councillors of all political leanings and none. This is something with which I certainly do not agree. Does the Taoiseach agree with it? Does he believe that councillors should have this power stripped from them?

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