RTE Prime Time presenter Sarah McInerney has been praised for "calling out" Darragh O’Brien during an interview with the Housing Minister on Tuesday night.
The Minister was appearing on the show after it was agreed on Tuesday morning that the eviction ban would come to an end on March 31 as expected.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar argued during Leaders’ Questions in the Dail that the ban was creating a “new form of homelessness” and that it was in the “public interest” to end the ban.
READ MORE: Leo Varadkar says eviction ban was creating a 'new form of homelessness'
The programme began with a special report from Prime Time reporter Louise Byrne in Tallaght on tenants who would be affected by the ban, including a mother-of-four called Tanya who was facing homelessness as her landlady needed to sell the rented house her family lives in.
She said her landlady offered to sell the property to the council, who said they would look into it but she 'hasn't heard anything since'.
Tanya told RTE: "I count down the days until I have to drag whatever belongings I've accumulated with me through homeless services. I'm scared and I'm scared for my kids."
Following the report Sarah McInerney and Mr O'Brien sat down for a pre-recorded interview where she asked him what he would say to people like Tanya who are facing eviction in three weeks time.
He said: "That's difficult for Tanya and for others. Tanya's specific situation, she did mention that her landlord had sought for the local authority to buy the home.
"I've permitted that, we've bought 600 homes since July last year and the Government decision permits a further 1,500."
He continued: "What I would ask Tanya to do is engage back with her local authority in relation to the purchase of that property... we have provided the funding to do that, and that will ensure that Tanya has a safe and secure tenancy."
But he was challenged by Sarah on the reason for lifting the eviction ban, the lack of housing supply and the research into why landlords are leaving the private rental sector.
RTE viewers weighed in with their thoughts on the one-to-one, with many people praising Sarah for her interview technique and for 'holding the minister to account'.
One person wrote on Twitter: "Bualadh bos @SarahAMcInerney, well done for at least calling out the Housing Minister. This was not based on advice from the AG, it was quite the opposite ....a government decision that favours landlords not the public good #rtept."
A second person joked: "Would you rather.. fight a T Rex or get interviewed by Sarah McInerney? #rtept"
A third said: "Great interview by @SarahAMcInerney on #rtept. I feel really sorry for Tanya and the many Tanya’s that are out there. This government must do more."
Another said: "Well done @SarahAMcInerney for being one of the few journalist to hold @DarraghOBrienTD to account for his actions and expose his inaction as housing minister. A shameful decision by @RTE_PrimeTime not to allow opposition to respond but hardly surprising."
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