Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

There is no disputing that the housing crisis is the single biggest social crisis we face. It is also true that it is the single biggest failure of the Government and its predecessors. The alternative, of course, to being evicted is not being evicted. The alternative to being homeless is to have a roof over one's head. These are the only alternatives at this stage that I believe the Taoiseach and his Government need to understand. The Government has moved on the matter of a ban on evictions. The Taoiseach said it will bring it forward with all due haste. We are anxious to assist the Government in doing this. I suggest we get this work done this week. Let us get this done this week. The Government should publish the legislation, work constructively with the Opposition and let us get this done this week, because families are desperate and terrified at the prospect of losing their rented home as we speak and meet here. We have a duty to protect those families. Let us, therefore, do this as a collective effort. Will the Taoiseach agree that we should get this work done this week? Let us do this week and have no more delays.

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