A Cork TD is urging anyone facing homelessness after the eviction ban is lifted to refuse to leave their home.
Speaking on the plinth at Leinster House this morning People Before Profit TD Mick Barry said renters facing homelessness should 'stand your ground and refuse to go.'
He said the refusal would lead to a hearing at the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) which would allow people to stay in their homes while the proceedings continue.
He went on to advise renters that it is “better to break the law than to break the poor”.
‘It’s better to break the law than to break the poor.’@MickBarryTD has urged anyone facing homelessness after the #EvictionBan is lifted to refuse to leave their home. pic.twitter.com/cUP6Ajwsuk
— NewstalkFM (@NewstalkFM) March 7, 2023
“I would say to any renter who faces an eviction and it is an eviction into homelessness, don’t just walk away from your property,” he said.
“Don’t just walk away into homelessness.
“Stand your ground and refuse to go. You can overhold and there will be people who fight for worker’s rights who fight for the rights of renters who will be prepared to support you.
“I know that is not an easy decision for anyone to take but anyone who weighs things up and makes that decision themselves, they will have support.”
He was speaking as Cabinet agreed to end the temporary eviction ban from the end of this month.
The regulations will wind down on a phased basis out to June.
The move has been described as ‘inhumane’ by opposition politicians, with Deputy Barry calling it an “extreme decision” and a “reckless decision” that needs to be opposed in Leinster House and “out there in society as well”.
'It's better to break the law, than to break the poor." @MickBarryTD calls on renters who might be evicted into homelessness to 'stand your ground' and defy eviction orders.
📷: @SeanDefoe pic.twitter.com/CK0KLR2wxK— NewstalkFM (@NewstalkFM) March 7, 2023
Deputy Barry said there is nothing new in the concept of refusing to leave rented accommodation.
“There are many people in this country who through no fault of their own have been forced to overhold,” he said. “It is not a new situation.
“The next step would be a hearing at the RTB and it would take some while to get there.
“It is better to break the law than to break the poor and what is being proposed here is something that will break the backs of many poor families who are struggling in this country.
“It is an outrageous decision.
Deputy Barry is not the only opposition TD to hit out at the decision, with Social Democrats housing spokesperson Cian O'Callaghan warning that it will spark a new wave of homelessness.
There is unease among Government backbenchers too, with Green Party TD Neasa Hourigan calling it completely the wrong decision.
