Sir, – In arguing for a lifting of the State ban on evictions, the Tánaiste has insisted that the State has “turned a corner” on housing (“Martin claims Ireland has ‘turned a corner’ on housing ahead of Sinn Féin motion on eviction ban”, News, March 14th).
How encouraging to hear the State fully intends to resolve the lack of housing. In that case, a simple delay to evictions until supply is available should be no problem.
Therefore, an obligation on the landlord to delay the house sale until the local authority can house the affected family or tenant, in suitable accommodation, should suffice to resolve the immediate eviction crisis. Of course, this might involve setting up a waiting list of landlords waiting to sell their properties. But what’s another waiting list, in a country well used to them?
The delay would be of short duration as, according to the Government, the corner has already been turned on supply.
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And the imposition of a short delay for the landlord, of the sale of their property, is surely less severe than the eviction of a tenant on to the street. – Yours, etc,
JOSEPH RYAN,
Ardnacrusha,
Co Clare.
Sir, – An Bord Pleanála has refused planning permission for more than 1,000 homes for north Dublin on the grounds that it is excessive in scale and bulk (News, March 23rd).
Is An Bord Pleanála aware of the scale and bulk of the homelessness crisis? – Yours, etc,
DR EUGENE O’LOUGHLIN,
Blackrock,
Co Dublin.