Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

"Everyone Should Have a Home" is played every week outside these Houses by Martin Leahy. Every week, the cry of thousands of people is, "We should have a home, and why has this Government let us down?". Children ask their terrified parents why they are moving, and will Santa know where they are. They ask, "Why is the tree not up? It is nearly Christmas". Over the past few weeks, I have had families in my office absolutely terrified of the situation they find themselves in and about what their future holds. In the past few weeks, we managed to get two individuals, who are living in their cars, temporary safe accommodation due to the kindness of a local landlord. However, I know they are going to be back in the same situation in a few months' time. A family of four adults living in one room - two in college, one a nursing student and another in school. Another two families came to my office last week who previously got on well with their landlords. They went into mortgage distress and their houses were taken over by the same vulture group and managing agent who issued termination notices.

The facts are that people will be forced into homelessness by the Minister, who has again left the Chamber early and will not support this legislation for a ban on no-fault evictions. It is an absolute shame and a disgrace that we have thousands of children in homeless accommodation as we stand and speak here today. It is an absolute disgrace and a shame on this Government.

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