In the Dáil this afternoon; Health Minister Simon Harris (above)

This afternoon.

A limited number of Dáil members observe “social distancing” as they congregate to debate and pass emergency legislation The Health Preservation and other Emergency Measures Bill introduced by Health Minister Simon Harris.

Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy does not appear to be in attendance.

However Mr Harris said:

“At a time like this, we often rely on our country’s greats to motivate and inspire us. One such great, Séamus Heaney, said ‘hope is not optimism which expects things to turn out well but is something rooted in the conviction that there is a good worth working for’.

“Let us all here, in this Oireachtas, and all of us across this country work day and night to achieve that common good. Ceann Comhairle, I move that the The Health Preservation and Protections and other Emergency Measures Bill in the Public Interests Bill now be read a second time.

“I want to say at the outset, I see the sense in the amendments deputies have proposed with regard to a sunset clause and I’ll work with deputies on this when we get to later stages in this bill.

“I also know a number of deputies have expressed concerns in relation  to protecting and supporting renters at this difficult time and I know my colleague Minister [Eoghan] Murphy intends to bring forward legislation in that regard next week.”

Watch live here

Meanwhile…

RTE News understands the Govt will announce a temporary ban on evictions, for an initial period of three months, while the Covid-19 crisis is ongoing. It's also understood that the Government proposals include a temporary ban on rent increases. @rtenews

— Aisling Kenny (@KennyAKE) March 19, 2020

Earlier: “Emergency Measures”

UPDATE:

For the period of this emergency we are banning rent increases and notices to leave rental accommodation.

This is so renters can be safe in their homes.

Read more here: https://t.co/C7yTsfDDTt pic.twitter.com/q7RU9QPnS9

— Eoghan Murphy TD (@MurphyEoghan) March 19, 2020

From the Department of Housing website:

The Government has today (Thursday, 19th March) approved a series of emergency measures to protect tenants who have been impacted by Covid 19.

Moratoriums on evictions and rent increases are being introduced for the duration of the Covid 19 emergency, to ensure people can stay in their homes during this period. The notice period for tenancies of less than six months is also being increased from 28 to 90 days.

The Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Eoghan Murphy TD, intends to publish legislation next week to amend the Residential Tenancies Act 2004-2019 to give effect to these changes.

The emergency measures being announced today complement those announced by the five main retail banks yesterday, in relation to the flexibility – such as 3 month mortgage breaks – which will be offered to those with buy-to-let mortgages whose tenants have been impacted by the virus.

It is the Government’s expectation that landlords will pass that flexibility on their tenants. Tenants are encouraged to engage with their landlords as quickly as possible if they are facing difficulties.

While tenants will be expected to pay rent during this period, income supports and Rent Supplement is available to those struggling to do so. These supports are provided by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection.

Any rent arrears built up will be payable, but landlords have been asked to show forbearance and reach local arrangements in such circumstances.

Government approves series of emergency measures to protect tenants (Department of Housing)

UPDATE:

Eoghan Murphy in self-isolation for past six days ‘as a precaution’ against Covid-19 https://t.co/4NR4IhJZL9

— Irish Examiner (@irishexaminer) March 19, 2020