Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

It seems at this stage the Government is completely tone-deaf when it comes to the crisis in the rental sector.

I and, I believe, many people were shocked when they saw nothing was done in the budget for renters. I am equally shocked nothing has been done for renters since. We have a completely crazy situation in Galway city where there are in excess of 1,500 Airbnb properties to rent but only 44 places or properties to rent long term. That is greatly impacting on people.

We also have a situation where the average rent is in excess of €1,500. A quick visit to an Airbnb website to tot up a month's rent for such a property will show it will cost more than €2,500 for a single room and in excess of €5,000 for an apartment. This shows the completely crazy situation in respect of Airbnb properties in Galway city.

The Minister of State is as aware as I am that notices to quit are through the roof in Galway at the moment. The Government inaction on this issue is having an impact on and messing with real people's lives.

I had a clinic yesterday and the Minister of State will know well that constituent after constituent who came into me raised the issue of housing. There are young families in bed and breakfast accommodation that is completely substandard, where black mould is growing and the mattresses are completely dirty. This situation exists but the appropriate laws are not being enforced.

I hope the Minister of State will listen tonight to constructive criticism from the Opposition to ensure this law is passed.

See this speech in context