I wish to raise the alarming spate of illegal evictions happening in Athy, County Kildare. These evictions relate to 22 apartments in the same block and owned by a certain landlord. So far, he has illegally evicted 16 families, with more to follow. Families told me of the gut-wrenching feeling of coming home to find all their belongings packed into black bin bags and left on the street. There was a baby’s cot there as well. Most of the families involved are vulnerable and in receipt of HAP. The landlord did not register their tenancies with the Residential Tenancies Board, RTB. Now he wants them out - no ifs or buts. My office is liaising with Threshold on this issue. The latter advises that these evictions are illegal. We are also helping those affected. Many people are scared out of their wits by the landlord and his actions. Some have even reported being followed by enforcers working on his behalf. Is the Tánaiste aware of this? Does he condemn these actions? Where are the people involved to go? Will the Government bring forward new legislation to clamp down on rogue landlords and illegal evictions?

I am not aware of the specific case. It is unacceptable behaviour. There should be no evictions of that kind. I do not know whether the matter has been referred to the Garda. There is a law in place.

There has to be a zero-tolerance approach to this kind of behaviour if it is illegal. There has to be respect for people and dignity and humanity must apply. The RTB is in place and the legislation is there. What we need is enforcement of the legislation.