New housing minister Darragh O’Brien had a small victory on Thurdsday night when the Dáil voted to amend a motion put forward by the Labour Party on housing.
The Labour motion was to extend the ban on rent hikes and evictions during the pandemic and to stop the banks charging interest on mortgage payment breaks.
This motion was defeated and Mr O’Brien’s own amendment was passed by the House.
His amendment proposed for the government to extend the emergency provisions but not before consulting with health chiefs.
He also promised to improve supply and affordability of housing for renters along with further protections for mortgage holders availing of the Covid-19 payment breaks.
