Eviction ban must be reinstated

Senator Rebecca Moynihan
21 September 2020
  • Minister for Housing should bring forward emergency legislation this week.

With thousands of workers losing their jobs or on temporary lay off in Dublin, Labour housing spokesperson Rebecca Moynihan has called on the Minister to bring forward emergency legislation to protect renters by reinstating the eviction ban.

Senator Moynihan said:

“In July the Labour Party tabled an amendment to give the Minister for Housing the powers to reinstate the ban on evictions for public health reasons in the event of a second wave. Bizarrely he refused to accept it, and yet now we see the urgent need for it.

“The new restrictions disproportionally affect renters as the majority of employees in the hospitality sector are in the private rented market.
That’s why the supports that were introduced in March must be reinstated. I am calling on the Minister for Housing to bring forward emergency legislation this week to reinstate the ban.

“At the time in July when the Dáil and Seanad debated rent laws, we were told that the legal advice meant the eviction ban would be removed because travel restrictions were to be lifted. It is clear now that the public health situation in Dublin where travel outside of the county is unadvisable that these supports must be reinstated immediately.

“Minister O’Brien needs to immediately announce a clear communicated emergency package of supports to protect Dublin renters and introduce emergency legislation. We know that tenants are the most vulnerable group to lose their homes and the Minister must take urgent action today in order to avoid an unnecessary surge in homelessness this winter.”

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