Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputies have raised a number of important questions but given the time allowed, I will prioritise answering the questions that relate to the Cabinet committee on Government co-ordination, which is the issue addressed in the group. Regarding the reasoning given to us by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage for the lifting of the eviction moratorium, the Department's advice and the advice of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage - line Ministers will attend these committees on occasion if it is relevant to their brief - was that there were three options. The first option was to end the moratorium as planned on 31 March, which is what we voted for in this House. The second option was to introduce a rolling winter ban like they have in France. The third option was a two-year extension because the view was not taken by the officials that an extension of four, six or five and a half months would be a credible option. I know the Opposition parties think differently in that regard. The strong advice from the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage and his officials was to go for option one and end the moratorium as planned on 31 March.

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