Proposed Eviction Bill Blocked

A Bill has been blocked which would have made it illegal to evict families in buy-to-let properties on the grounds that the property is to be sold.

Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael voted against the Bill for the second time in three years after a similar outcome in 2016.

Author of the bill, Sinn Féin housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin TD has hit out at the parties for rejecting measures that "would have offered support to struggling renters".


He said: "Today, the single biggest cause of family homelessness is landlords legally evicting their tenants when selling their properties.

"Without offering up any other solutions, Fianna Fáil do what they always do and support the Fine Gael-led government in opposing our Bill.

"This is the second time Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil have blocked the amendment originally drafted by Focus Ireland in 2016.

"Fianna Fáil cannot cry crocodile tears when the homeless figures keep rising and another family has to spend the night in a Garda Station when they have offered up no solutions to the rental crisis."

(CM/JG)