Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

Last night, on Virgin Media television, the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, said that local authorities should buy up premises where evictions are taking place. A mass eviction will take place at Tathony House on Bow Lane, Dublin 8, which is in my constituency. On Monday night, Dublin City Council addressed the issue because an emergency motion was brought before it by our councillor, Ms Hazel de Nortúin. The answer the council gave was that it does not buy these premises unless they are occupied by people who are on the housing list or on a housing payment. Will the Minister clarify whether that is the position? If it is, will he clarify to the public that local authorities are not to buy up properties that are occupied by people renting privately but only by people who are on the housing list or on the housing assistance payment, HAP?

See this speech in context