Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The fundamental point that an indefinite eviction ban would make the situation worse and is not a viable policy is one shared by the Deputy and his party. Sinn Féin does not propose an indefinite eviction ban. It proposes exactly the same as the Government decided this week, only it delays it for a number of months. It has changed the delay time. It was 31 December, then it was 31 January and now it has a new iteration of essentially the same point. What Sinn Féin Members have attacked with great fury in recent weeks is exactly what they propose to do. In addition to that, they have also acknowledged that there cannot be a transformation in the overall housing situation within six months or within the lifetime of any eviction ban. A very dishonest proposition is being put by Deputy Doherty and his party in respect of this entire issue because what they are really are about is the exploitation of the issue.

Housing is a very serious issue. Since the establishment of this Government over two and a half years ago, I have consistently said that was the number one priority. Significant progress has been made which Sinn Féin simply does not acknowledge. Many of its policies would have made the situation far worse, as is evidenced by the party's extraordinary decision to oppose about 11,500 proposed houses.

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