The Labour party has been slammed for failing to deal with the increase in rents throughout Ireland.

Sinn Féin Housing spokesperson Dessie Ellis TD said a report by the Chartered Surveyors Ireland forecast rent increases between 5% and 7% in 2016.

Deputy Ellis said: "Renters needed the Labour party to make a stand and take to swift decisive and strong action to bring rents under control. They did the exact opposite.

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"What we ended up with was a year of foot dragging which only delivered a pathetically weak response of delaying rent reviews for one year.

"This directly contributed to substantial rent increases being placed on tenants in the run up to Christmas.

"Sinn Féin in government would tackle high rents by setting fair local standard rates based on size and quality as well as tying future increases to the rate of inflation."

(CD/LM)