The Housing Minister has said he wants to prosecute rogue landlords who deliberately overcrowd their properties.

Eoghan Murphy says it is a serious offence and he is going to ensure the rules are enforced.

His comments follow a Prime Time report which found dangerously cramped conditions in some private rental accommodation.

In the Dáil last night, Minister Murphy promised change.

He told deputies: "What was witnessed was horrendous and degrading. No-one should have to live like this - no-one should be allowed live like this."

Noting that the accommodation in the report had since been closed down, he also explained that he's fast-tracking legislation to improve standards.

Minister Murphy observed: "Particular attention will be given to possible amendments [on] provisions in relation to overcrowding - both in terms of its legal definition, and the enforcement actions & sanctions applicable to such situations.

"I take the view that enabling or causing deliberate unsafe overcrowding is a very serious offence - and I will treat it as such in the legislation to come."

The minister's pledges came as Sinn Féin brought a motion last night calling for an NCT-style certification system for rental accommodation - meaning landlords would require an 'adequate compliance certificate' before renting out their property. Such a system had previously been suggested by Fianna Fáil.

Sinn Féin's housing spokesperson Eoin O'Broin also wants rouge landlords to face jail sentences.

He argued: "The current regime of sanctions needs to be reformed. It must address a broader range of offences and include penalties that are commensurate to the offence.

"This should include the possibility of imprisonment for those landlords who wilfully put people’s lives at risk."