‘Even the Tories want to protect renters,’ says Ivana Bacik

Questioning Government in the Dáil today, Labour leader and housing spokesperson Ivana Bacik TD said that the Government move on Labour’s Renters’ Rights legislation to protect renters by ending no fault evictions.

“It beggars belief that Government have sat on their hands on renters’ rights for two years when they could’ve been progressing Labour’s Bill to keep people safe and housed,” Deputy Bacik said.

“Even the Tories are at it.

“The British Housing Secretary, Michael Gove, has unveiled legislation to end no-fault evictions there.

“The Tories accept that it is wrong to paint as radical the suggestion that families should not lose their home through no fault of their own.

“If the Tories can take the political risk, Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil should too.”

Deputy Bacik said housing is “beyond crisis” in Ireland.

“My concern is that Government parties are so detached from the reality of housing insecurity that they simply do not understand or appreciate the stain that hard working families and people are under. To be constantly afraid of losing your home is deeply stressful.

“This worry permeates across your entire life. We need to give renters security.

“It’s not the role of the market, or of private landlords, to keep people safe and housed but it is the role of Government.

“But right now, people are being evicted in their droves, not because they failed to pay rent, or because they engaged in anti-social behaviour, but because their home is commodified for a market which does not care for their welfare. It must end now.”