George Lawlor exposes radio audio linking evictions to rental rules
George Lawlor raised audio evidence suggesting recent eviction notices served to 36 families were explicitly linked to the new rental rules and demanded an investigation and protections for tenants. He called for the minister to respond directly and for oversight bodies to examine any breaches.
Radio audio and eviction claim
Alan Corcoran on South East Radio aired doorbell-camera audio from an eviction served last Friday. In the recording an agent reportedly tells a tenant "bad news, you've heard the new rental rules so we're serving evictions" and says the landlord would "sell up and get out" ahead of the rules taking effect on the 1st of March - a point cited by the deputy as direct evidence of motive.
Parliamentary exchange and denials
The deputy recalled that the minister had characterised reporting on the evictions as "misinformation" and that the Taoiseach dismissed opposition claims as insinuations that the move was a reaction to the new rules. The Taoiseach also stated the new rules were not meant to affect existing tenants and referenced oversight mechanisms for breaches.
Calls for investigation and tenant protections
George Lawlor demanded the incidents be investigated and said the affected tenants must be looked after in the way they deserve. He urged that the minister come back directly with the information held and stressed that the scale of the impact merits a substantive reply.
Immediate context and next steps
The deputy highlighted that broadcasters and political debates were likely to examine the matter next week and noted the agent's comment that a final decision could be made in about 10 days. He said he would place the audio and details on the record and ask the minister to follow up with the deputy directly.
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A few days ago, Minister Brown, referring to the eviction of 36 families, said that there had been misinformation which he said is insinuating this move by the landlord is a reaction to the new rental rules. He was backed by the Taoiseach who fobbed off Deputy Ivana Bacic at Leaders QPL. He said there were claims by the opposition that there were insinuations that this move is a reaction to the new rental rules. A couple of hours ago, Tawnish, the presenter Alan Corcoran on his morning mix programme on South East Radio played an audio from a doorbell camera video that I can give you of one of these evictions being served last Friday. The agent for the landlord armed with a batch of envelopes declared to the tenant, bad news, you've heard the new rental rules so we're serving evictions. The tenant says so we're getting kicked out. The agent said maybe not, it's just that the new rules are coming in on the 1st of March. We think it's better just to sell up and get out. We're giving ourselves the option. Today we're going to give ourselves the option that we can do that. We don't know how it's going to pan out over the next week but there will be loads of radio shows and political debates next week. We'll make the final decision then probably in about 10 days. Tawnish, is this how tenants in this modern wealthy country can treat its people? Evictions absolutely linked to the new tenancy laws introduced by this government. Please tawnish, this has to be investigated and these tenants must be looked after in the way that they deserve. Thanks Deputy Lawler and I know Alan Corkin and I listen back to his program and the information you've just put on the record of the House as I'm sure and the Minister for Housing will do as well. My starting point though in this conversation is that the new rules are not meant to affect existing tenants. Laws do need to be complied with by landlords and existing tenancies need to be respected and we do have oversight mechanisms in relation to anybody who breaches those rules including the RTB and other mechanisms too. But I think it deserves a substantive reply because clearly this has affected quite a large number of people. So I'll ask Minister Brown, here's the information that you've had and he has that information you tell me and I'll ask that he comes back to you directly.
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