Labour is calling on the Housing Minister to announce an emergency package of supports to protect Dublin renters.

Labour housing spokesperson Rebecca Moynihan is urging Minister Darragh O'Brien to reinstate the eviction ban.

Senator Moynihan said: "In July the Labour Party tabled an amendment to give the Minister for Housing the powers to reinstate the ban on evictions for public health reasons in the event of a second wave. Bizarrely he refused to accept it, and yet now we see the urgent need for it.

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"The new restrictions disproportionally affect renters as the majority of employees in the hospitality sector are in the private rented market.

"That's why the supports that were introduced in March must be reinstated. I am calling on the Minister for Housing to bring forward emergency legislation this week to reinstate the ban.

"At the time in July when the Dáil and Seanad debated rent laws, we were told that the legal advice meant the eviction ban would be removed because travel restrictions were to be lifted. It is clear now that the public health situation in Dublin where travel outside of the county is unadvisable that these supports must be reinstated immediately."