Thomas Gould (Cork North-Central, Sinn Fein)

I support the amendment. There has been a call for a rent freeze for renters. People need it. There is a choice. I was on a show on RTÉ earlier. The Minister has a choice. He can support renters or he can support big business, but he cannot do both. The Government must make a decision. The Minister's argument relates to how we are going to get private money in to develop more houses and apartments. How are we going to stop more people from becoming homeless? How are we going to help more people to keep a roof over their heads? Where is the priority? To me, the priority is to ensure that we do not see any more people - families and children - becoming homeless by having a three-year rent freeze. This would give some support and protection to them.

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