Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

3 o’clock

Renters have been badly let down by the Taoiseach's Government. They are trapped paying sky-high rents and losing hope of ever owning their own homes. Earlier this year, the Government ended the eviction ban, despite all the warnings that this would push households into homelessness. When he lifted the ban, the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, promised to introduce some small measures to protect renters. Three months later, we have now been told this has been delayed until at least September. No wonder renters feel abandoned and thrown to the wolves with this type of attitude. In the Dáil this evening, therefore, we are going to debate Sinn Féin's plan to stand up for renters, to put a month's rent back into their pockets, to cut and freeze rents and to provide more public housing through the use of emergency powers. Will the Government back Sinn Féin's plan and ensure renters get the break they need and deserve?

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