asked the Minister for Justice whether, in view of the hardship caused by many recent evictions, it is intended to introduce proposals for legislation to amend the law relating to the eviction of persons from their dwelling places during the continuance of the present housing emergency.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Evictions from Dwelling Places.
It is not proposed to introduce legislation for the purpose mentioned. I would, in this connection, refer the Deputy to my statement on the subject in reply to a question asked by Deputy Alfred Byrne on the 12th May last.
Is the Minister aware that ejectment orders have been made in several cases recently against people who, as far as they are concerned, have kept their agreements and paid their rent and that now through no fault of their own they are facing a situation where they are being thrown out on the side of the road?
As I said in reply to Deputy Byrne, this thing is a matter of private contract between the landlord and tenant, and the law as it stands is weighted completely in favour of the tenant. If I give anything further to the tenant it means that I wipe out all private ownership. Neither I nor any Government can go any further. The law has to take notice of the fact that the courts will give justice in these cases, and there is nothing I can reasonably be expected to do.
Until such time as houses and other premises can be made available will the Minister consider suspending the rights of landlords to evict tenants?
Not even for Deputy Cowan.