A decision not to extend the eviction ban flies in the face of Green Party policy, one TD has said.
Neasa Hourigan was speaking after the eviction ban will not be extended beyond March 31st.
The Dublin-Central TD told The Hard Shoulder this is the wrong decision.
"I think first of all it's the wrong decision in terms of keeping people in their homes and protecting them during a housing crisis," she said.
"The Green Party has very clear policies around this.
"Not too long ago... the party's policy council - which is made up of our grassroot members - reaffirmed their commitment to the idea of an eviction ban on a short-term basis.
"This absolutely flies in the face of that.
"It does make me question: was there anybody in that room reflecting those more compassionate Green Party policies in the discussion?"
'More people facing homelessness'
Deputy Hourigan said homelessness will rise because of the move.
"I can't know what Eamon Ryan is thinking when he makes these decisions, but I do know what our party policy is.
"I do know what members are saying to me today, and I do know what would be right for my constituents in Dublin-Central.
"This time next month, there will be more people who are facing homelessness than there are today.
"That is directly as a result of the eviction ban being lifted".
Neasa Hourigan and Green Party leader Eamon Ryan speaking to the media at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Dublin at the launch of the party's manifesto in January 2020. Picture by: Sam Boal/Rollingnews.ieDeputy Hourigan said measures that could have been put in place while the ban was there were not done.
"While we had the eviction ban there was a chance to take all sorts of measures to protect tenants, but also to make the sector more viable for landlords who might have one or two homes.
"We didn't do any of those things, and the Housing MInister didn't do any of those things.
"The three party leaders who sat in that room don't have to sit in my constituency clinics and deal with people who are facing homelessness.
"I find it very hard to believe that this could be possibly proposed as reasonable way of dealing with the housing crisis".
'How am I meant to defend this?'
Deputy Hourigan said the decision-making process also concerns her.
"What we see in this Government is the three leaders of the party go into a room, and they make all sorts of decisions," she said.
"Then they come out and the Cabinet seems to rubber-stamp it.
"I'm not party to what the discussion in that room is, I'm not sure the Cabinet is party to it either.
"I do know what comes out of that room in this regard is not representative of Green Party policy".
Asked if she would like Minister Ryan to explain the decision, she said: "I would like to understand better how on Earth I am meant to defend this to my constituents".
Listen back to the full interview below:
