RTE’s Upfront with Katie Hannon viewers were divided this evening during a debate on whether or not the existing eviction ban should be extended beyond March 31, 2023.
A member of the public, Jennifer, spoke on the show and explained that she has been given until July to move out of her home in Dublin.
Although her landlord has given her many months' notice, she said the difficulty in securing a new apartment may mean leaving her life in the capital behind and heading home to her parent’s house in Co. Kerry.
Thankfully Jennifer has the option to return to her family, however, there are many individuals and families who do not have that luxury and so many people are calling for the emergency measure to remain.
The eviction ban has been in place since October 30 2022 and will end on March 31, 2023. This period is known as the winter emergency period.
It means that if you are renting private rented accommodation you cannot be evicted during these months, even if you have been issued with a valid notice of termination.
The eviction ban covers:
- Approved housing bodies
- Cost rental tenancies
- Licences and tenancies in student accommodation
- Wider private rented sector
Niall Collins, an Irish Fianna Fáil politician, was posed with the question of whether or not the ban should be extended in these dier housing circumstances.
However, his lack of an answer left many people frustrated and they are now calling for more clarity on what the government plans to do.
One person wrote: “#rteupfront how many times is this guy going to say "property rights"? What about the right for people to have a roof over their heads? I'm guessing he's a landlord?”
A second added: “Can Niall Collins ever answer a question? So frustrating to listen to @RTEUpfront #RTEupfront Everything should be considered.....”
A third posted on social media writing: “So the property rights trump the right to a roof over your head, referendum anyone? How many times has Niall Collins mentioned property rights at this stage? #RTEUpfront
A fourth said: “Can the government PLEASE send representatives who are prepared with plausible answers before sending them on national television!?!”
While most people were on the side of those being evicted, others backed the impending end date of the ban.
One person said: “Extending the eviction ban would be a complete joke... Why would anyone be a landlord in this country?”
Another commented: “Just because you rent a place doesn’t mean you own it, social housing not private sector responsibility, no landlords , less property to rent , higher rents #rteupfront”.
READ NEXT:
Search stood down as body of 61-year-old man missing since January discovered
Ireland to be hotter than city of love on Valentine’s Day before major change
School principal shares the warning sign he was about to suffer a heart attack at the age of 56
Enoch Burke physically removed from courtroom by gardai... again
Heartbreaking tributes paid to Irish soldier killed in horror skydive accident in Spain
For the latest news, sport and showbiz headlines, visit our homepage
