Maria McCormack (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome this Bill tabled by Senators Harmon, Stephenson, Noonan and Cosgrove. This will be the third Bill of its kind introduced in the Oireachtas in an attempt by Opposition parties to highlight the horrendous behaviour of some predatory landlords seeking sex in lieu of rent. I wish to acknowledge Ms Ann Murphy, who first highlighted this in the Irish Examiner, and thank her for all her work, and "RTÉ Investigates" as well.

Sinn Féin tabled similar legislation in 2024 to ban such arrangements and advertisements. My colleague, Eoin Ó Broin, has been very vocal on the issue. The Sinn Féin Bill passed Second Stage with Government support. Unfortunately, no action has been taken by the Government since then. Sinn Féin also supported the Social Democrats' Bill, which passed Second Stage. Again, there has been no action by the Government.

Sinn Féin welcomes this Bill. Well done to Laura Harmon, who was key to highlighting this in her former role as head of the Irish Council for International Students. We can only hope, as Laura says, it is third time lucky and the Government takes action. I welcome the Government has indicated it will not oppose the Bill on this Stage but it needs to allow it to progress fully through both Houses as quickly as possible. This legislation must be enacted.

It is obvious that the wider issue of the housing and homelessness crisis creates the conditions for this form of exploitation. Being a renter in Ireland has never been more difficult. Rents continue to rise, homelessness continues to rise and women and international students are at particular risk of falling into the trap of these landlords who seek sex in lieu of rent. I commend the work of the National Women's Council and the Irish Council for International Students, who have called on the Government to act and have produced reports on the issue.

We need to finally ban the placing of advertisements, the soliciting and the practice of landlords offering discounted or free accommodation in return for sex. These laws must also apply to any estate agents who facilitate this disgusting behaviour. These sex for rent arrangements must be viewed as sexual exploitation and understood as a form of gender-based violence. They must be outlawed, with hefty fines applied and custodial sentences imposed where appropriate. Sinn Féin will fully support the Bill.