Sinn Féin Housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin has said that Government plans to introduce legislation to ban evictions from the private rented sector and to freeze rents is ‘a welcome first move for renters’. 

Deputy Ó Broin said: "The announcement by Eoghan Murphy that he will bring forward legislation next week to ban evictions from the private rented sector during the COVID-19 crisis is a welcome first step for renters."

Sinn Féin added: "The legislation also needs to suspend all existing Notices to Quit and related Residential Tenancies Board processes. Protections also need to be extended to lodgers and those in rent-a-room arrangements."

The republican party also said that "equally, Government must seriously examine the possibility of temporary rent reductions and rent waivers for tenants whose landlords who are availing of mortgage repayment forbearance."

Ireland follows steps already taken in Italy, France and the Spanish state to try and relieve families who will face the devastating consequences of the coronavirus crisis not only at health level but also at social level.