Sinn Féin’s latest attempt to extend the eviction ban is ‘playing politics’ with the housing crisis, the Tánaiste has said.
Speaking on his way into Cabinet this morning, Micheál Martin said there were “definitive votes” on the eviction ban last week and noted that Sinn Féin agrees that the eviction ban should not be permanent.
The Government is facing two challenges over the ban this week, with the Labour Party tabling a motion of no confidence before Sinn Féin again pushes legislation aiming to see it extended into 2024.
Both moves will be voted on tomorrow – and the coalition is confident it has enough support to see off the two challenges.
“Sinn Féin themselves are saying there shouldn’t be an indefinite #EvictionBan."
The Tánaiste says Sinn Féin are ‘playing politics’ with the #housing crisis. pic.twitter.com/umwPURkMA5
— NewstalkFM (@NewstalkFM) March 28, 2023
Minister Martin said Sinn Féin’s stance would see the eviction ban issue kicked further down the road.
“Sinn Féin themselves are saying there shouldn’t be an indefinite eviction ban so I think what they are doing is playing politics with the issue,” he said.
“They themselves are saying the decision we took now, they say, they would take in January.
“They also acknowledge you can’t transform the situation in a number of months.”
Minister Martin insisted that the Government only motivation is to, “maintain the existing level of properties that are in the market for rent but also attract more into the market”.
He said officials are continuing attempts to speed up the supply of housing and are looking at, “modern methods of construction to see if we can increase that and build houses more rapidly”.
He said the Dáil dealt with the eviction ban in “definitive votes” last week.
“My own view is that the opposition will do what an opposition feels it has to do but Government must remain focused on the issues and making a difference for people out there on the ground,” he said.
Cabinet will this morning agree on its response to the motion of no confidence, with Government likely to use parliamentary procedure to table a motion of confidence in itself.
