Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

There is no doubt that this situation has been partially created by our housing market. Many, and I hope, most, landlords are good and responsible but our housing market has produced such an imbalance that it has given a minority of landlords a belief that they are beyond reach, have impunity and can do what they like and that people are so desperate they will do anything for a place to stay. Unfortunately, in many instances, they are correct in thinking that people are desperate. I believe it is essential that we criminalise this practice, which is growing. I have seen it in my constituency in Cork in the past two or three years. There was an incidence involving a flat in The Lough in 2020. In some incidences, it can be couched in a way that is vague but sometimes it is quite explicit. It is vital that this practice be criminalised.

While I believe the Government bears responsibility for allowing the housing market and the rental crisis to worsen to this level, the primary person responsible is the person undertaking this practice and this is the person who should face sanction. I cannot be clear enough about my view that this behaviour is sick, perverted, twisted and disgusting. What is important is that we ensure the criminal justice system has the power to punish these people and ensure that the platforms that host these advertisements are careful about the content they put up.

We must ensure those involved in this practice are punished appropriately because they are taking advantage of people who are very vulnerable. In Britain, there have been approximately 30,000 instances per annum of solicitations of this kind. It clearly is an issue that is growing in many places where there is an imbalance in the housing market. I am very concerned for vulnerable people coming to this country. We need to criminalise this practice.

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