I reiterate that the reason the eviction ban was lifted was that to keep it going and retain it or extend it would have made the situation far worse for many people. People are exiting and there is an exodus from the private rental market. The number of houses available to rent has been reducing over the last two to three years. That is, in my view, because of the lack of certainty regarding the regulatory framework governing it and policies. Sinn Féin over time has demonised small landlords.

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