Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Leas-Cheann Comhairle. The Social Democrats are supporting this Bill and the amendments in this group. I have said to the Minister before that we really need to move away from these kinds of temporary and reactive measures in order to bring in long-term permanent reform into the private rental sector to give it stability. There have been 21 legislative changes in the sector since 2009 with piecemeal reforms and this will be the 22nd. That is not what we need to give the sector stability. We need permanent reforms and changes.

Let us be very clear, this legislation and what is happening in this country now simply would not happen in most European countries. It is not possible in most of Europe for renters who are paying their rent, who are upholding their end of the tenancy agreement, are not engaged in antisocial behaviour, to have their tenancy ripped to shreds and their home life completely upturned and destroyed because a landlord wants to sell the property. It is not possible. Legislation like this could not be brought in because there is a permanent ban on such evictions. That is a humane way of treating people and respecting their home life. The fact is that the value of a property is not just created by the owner of that property, but is created by the community around it, together with the public services, public investment and the public infrastructure that this State and society puts in with regard to roads, water, community facilities and everything else. The violence that is happening against people who are being evicted into homelessness now is not possible in most of Europe and should not be possible here.

I completely welcome that this Bill will provide temporary relief to some people who need it. Unfortunately there are others for whom it will not provide any protection and who will not benefit from this Bill. We need, however, to have that long-term permanent reform which will actually change the dynamic where people pay their rent, have a home and do not have to have that constant worry of what is going to happen to them and their children if they get an eviction notice.

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