Chris Andrews (Dublin Bay South, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I commend my Sinn Féin colleagues on their work in introducing this Bill.

The Government's legacy will be one of failure in housing, with Fianna Fáil, the Green Party and Fine Gael repeatedly failing to stand on the side of those most in need. The Government failed to provide for the most basic of needs – a safe home for them and their families – for ordinary people, including more vulnerable members of society. The figures released recently by the RTB show that many of those issued with notices to quit are families with children, couples and pensioners. Some of these will find themselves in need of emergency accommodation, of which there is none even for those who are already out on the street and sleeping rough. People will have to couch surf and relationships will break down. That is inevitable. Others will be forced to emigrate or will find themselves sleeping in cars.

As the private rental market continues to fail to provide sufficient and affordable housing, the Government decision to end the eviction ban will see more people enter into homelessness and hardship. I was contacted by a tenant today who had received an eviction notice. She said that she was scared for her children. The Government has lost control of the homeless crisis and levels of homelessness continue to rise. By ending the winter ban on evictions, this number will grow larger in the coming months. The damage being inflicted on ordinary people by the Government is heartless and will be felt for generations to come. I can see its impact across my constituency. Young couples want to settle down in communities like Ringsend and start families, but they cannot do so. They find it impossible to locate affordable housing. The housing at the Irish Glass Bottle site is not going to be affordable. What is happening is having a devastating impact on communities across the city and country. I support the motion.

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