Offaly TD says eviction ban is 'like making sweets free for children'

In the Dáil today, Offaly TD Barry Cowen compared the ban on no-fault evictions to "making sweets free for children," saying, "it's fine for a little while but ultimately detrimental to the greater need".

The Fianna Fáil representative was speaking during this morning's debate on whether the Dáil had confidence in the current Government.

His "sweets for children" comparison drew gasps from some quarters of the chamber, while the Social Democrats TD for Dublin Bay North, Cian O'Callaghan, tweeted that the comments were "absolutely shocking" and "an utter disgrace".

Addressing the house, Deputy Cowen acknowledged that there was an "immediate" crisis in relation to evictions, but said extending the evictions ban was not a long-term solution.

He argued that opposition TDs should "assist their councillor colleagues by exerting influence on councils to respond positively" to the Government's recent "instructions and demands for councils to purchase units impacted by eviction notices, allowing tenants to remain in situ, applying to those that are on housing lists and those that are not.

"That's a solution," he said. "Keeping or extending the ban isn't necessarily going to solve this crisis into the future.

"It's like making sweets free for children. It's fine for a little while, but ultimately detrimental to the greater need."

Deputy Cowen added that he was "working with councillor colleagues in my county of Offaly to provide that solution for the 20 or so (eviction) cases that have sought my help, as Deputy Fleming is across the border in Laois."

In a press statement which he issued last Saturday, Deputy Cowen said that Housing Minister had written to all local authorities "to inform them that they can purchase homes where tenants are at risk of homelessness as a result of a notice to quit on grounds of sale.

"The Minister has given each local authority a base target which they must reach and has requested that each local authority to report progress on their targets regularly.

"The Government have ensured that solutions are in place for people and that our most vulnerable will be looked after," he stated.