As the topic of rent certainty continues to generate conversation and concern around the country, Sinn Féin spokesperson for for Social Protection, John Brady TD, reacted to the vote on the Rent Certainty Bill on the 16th of June by describing its defeat as absurd yet unsurprising. The bill was tabled to provide greater protection for both tenants and landlords against volatility in the rental market, linking any rent increases or decreases to the Consumer Price Index.
“What is particularly surprising about the vote is the Government’s complete ignorance of the issue. This bill provided an opportunity for the Government to take some small action in response to the ongoing housing crisis. In my own constituency of Wicklow all of the Government representatives voted against rent certainty. This is at a time when rents are spiralling out of control and families are struggling to afford the ever increasing costs of living. Last year Fianna Fáil presented a policy document which proposed, “a bold 3 step new deal for renters and landlords based on Tenants Rights and Rent Certainty.” Yet today, they voted against just that. This really begs the question of Fianna Fáil’s actual position in Government. They come in here every day and rally against something the Government has done, or hasn’t done, in line with popular opinion. And yet they then go and vote with the Government. Fianna Fáil had the chance to put their policy into practice today, yet they chose to oppose it in order to in order top prop up Fine Gael. They are just as responsible for the continuation of the mayhem in the housing sector as Fine Gael themselves. One wonders what actually stopped Fianna Fáil from going into coalition with Fine Gael. They continue to follow in their footsteps while homeowners and renters continue to suffer. ”
