Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I wish to declare an interest in the provision of accommodation to all categories of people. I thank People Before Profit for bringing this important motion and issue before the Dáil again. I was glad to support the continuation of the ban on the previous occasion. I am glad to support the motion because it is important. There were 5,735 notices of termination issued between April and June. That is 21% higher. It is what we told the Government would happen. These are not numbers or statistics; they are mothers, fathers, grandmothers, young people and children. They are real people who are told they must leave the accommodation in which they are living. I see it and I understand it 100%.

I ask that we stop using the nonsensical word "landlords" in here. There is no such thing as landlords. They are property owners. They are people who own property and provide it for the accommodation of others.

At the Killarney, Kenmare, Tralee, Listowel, Killorglin and Cahersiveen clinics I hold regularly, people continually tell me they have been issued with a notice to quit. It is far more predominant now than at any time previously. It is the result of the way we in here voted. That is why I am supporting the motion today and will do so in future. I can see 100% why property owners might be concerned, but there can be a balance and that is what we are trying to do. We need to ensure people who are paying their rent and keeping their side of an agreement and have no other place to go are protected. If people are blackguarding and not paying rent and not maintaining a property, that is a different story and there is a way of dealing with that.

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