Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

It is quite telling that the Taoiseach is reduced to trying to blame the Opposition consistently for a housing disaster that has exploded during his 13 years in office. Is that really the best he can do? I know I am new to this but I think being a leader is about taking responsibility for the things that have happened on your watch. The Taoiseach said the Government had weighed up the pros and cons and, on balance, had decided to take this decision. We have heard a lot about the knowns and the unknowns in recent weeks. This was largely theorising from the Taoiseach and Ministers about what might happen if the eviction ban were extended, the potential consequences of the continuation of it and what they might be. There is no need to speculate in any way whatsoever about what definitely will happen if the eviction ban is removed, which is forcing thousands of people into homelessness. The unintended potential consequences when he was weighing up the pros and cons are very confusing for people because the definite, intended consequences are clear for everybody to see. I ask the Taoiseach again: will he please reverse this ridiculous decision?

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