Martin Browne says fellow Tipperary TDs must explain ‘shameful’ decision to end eviction ban

Sinn Féin TD Martin Browne has criticised government TDs from Tipperary for their "shameful" decision to end the eviction ban.

The government decided to end the ban, which had been protecting people from "no fault" evictions that could plunge them into homelessness in a matter of weeks.

Deputy Browne said:

“The government’s decision to end the eviction ban is shameful and will plunge people into homelessness in Tipperary.

“The housing crisis is devastating lives across Tipperary, as people cannot afford sky high rents or find suitable accommodation because of this government’s failure to get to grips with the crisis.

“Government TD Jackie Cahill must come forward and explain to people in Tipperary why they have backed ending the eviction ban. They need to be upfront with people about this shocking decision.

“From April, people across Tipperary will face the prospect of losing their home because of this disgraceful decision. This includes single people, couples, parents with children and pensioners who have been badly let down by this government and deserve better.

“The government had a choice. When the emergency ban on evictions was introduced last October, Sinn Féin urged the government that it wasn’t a solution but a temporary opportunity for the breathing space in order to take emergency action needed.

"We urged them to expand the tenant in situ scheme, to extend it to affordable cost rental, to use emergency planning and procurement powers, to target vacant and derelict properties and new building technologies, to increase and accelerate the delivery of social and affordable homes.

“Shockingly, the government ignored these solutions and instead ended the ban without addressing these issues.

“It is clear that the housing market in Tipperary is totally unfit for purpose and ordinary people are left to pay the price. Year after year, Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil have missed their own inadequate public housing targets.

"The result is clear to see in Tipperary, as we have generations locked out of home ownership, crippled by sky high rents, languishing on social housing waiting lists and being forced to emigrate.

“The housing crisis is causing misery for so many people in Tipperary. These government TDs must explain why they are continuing to ignore the solutions and fail to tackle the housing crisis.

“Sinn Féin in government would tackle the housing crisis to make sure that action is taken to deliver the change needed. Sinn Féin has the detailed, deliverable proposals to get to grips with the housing crisis and deliver genuinely affordable homes for people in Tipperary”.