Fianna Fail and Fine Gael have been accused of "playing cynical political games" while people renting are stuck in the middle.

Sinn Féin Housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin said struggling renters desperately need relief from Government.

He said: "The best way to achieve this is to link rent reviews to an index such as the CPI. This is not just Sinn Féin's view. It was the view of the cross party Dáil Housing and Homeless Committee including its Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil members. It is also a position widely supported by tenancy advocacy organisations, homeless charities and housing policy experts.

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"Instead of supporting hard pressed tenants Fine Gael and Fianna Fail are engaging is a cynical political game.

"Despite knowing the detail of Minister Coveney's plan in advance of its launch Fianna Fáil are now desperately trying to distance themselves from it. They are not doing this out of any concern for struggling renters. They just want to get one over on Fine Gael.

"Fine Gael's ill conceived rent plan will heap greater pressure on renters. It will also contribute to further levels of homelessness. Their intransigence is motivated by a desire to get one over Fianna Fáil, not by a desire to address the causes of the rent crisis."

(CD/MH)