Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

This Bill strips away from renters many of their protections from being evicted. It is unbelievable the Minister would include section 2 in the middle of a pandemic when, under public health guidelines, we should be trying not to put people out of their homes and having to look again for accommodation. Yet, that could happen with this Bill.

This is the fourth time the Minister has brought forward this legislation. One question must be asked. Why did he not bring in this legislation for 12 months? Now, he has brought it in for three more months. Everyone knows we are going to be back here in three months' time to extend it. My Sinn Féin colleague, Deputy Ó Broin, has called for a ban on evictions and rent increases until at least the end of the year. That would help.

A report out today shows that in Cork city alone there has been a rent increase of 4.5%. People may ask why Deputy Gould and Sinn Féin are on about evictions and people being evicted. The reason is that many people cannot afford the high rents they face. There is so much more I want to say. This is typical of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. When push comes to shove, they back the landlords over ordinary people.

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