Regarding the legislation that will come up later on the ban on evictions, we know from research from Harvard University that there is a direct link between evictions and the spread of Covid-19. We know if we evict people into homelessness and into congregated settings, there is a higher risk of contracting Covid-19.

We also know we are out of line with most EU member states in that it is much easier to evict people here than it is in other countries. Would now not be the time to bring us in line with other member states to restrict the grounds for eviction? Should we do that now to help the effort to suppress Covid-19?

I am afraid I am not familiar with that particular research. Legislation approved by the Cabinet last night and to be brought forward will ban evictions during this level 5 period. There are, of course, some exceptions such as anti-social behaviour or where criminal acts are involved.

The research that I have seen shows that evictions in Ireland are relatively uncommon compared to other countries. Notices to quit may be more common but actual evictions in Ireland where people are evicted on foot of a court order are much lower than they are in other western democracies.