Cross-Union Secure Rents Campaign Launched In Limerick

IMPACT has the first in a series of public meetings as part of a cross-union Secure Rents campaign.

IMPACT organiser Joe O'Connor said: "The Government's own Rebuilding Ireland action plan stated that moderating rental price inflation was one of its core objectives. However, if reports this week are to be believed, a rent subsidy which will serve to add even more fuel to rental rises is instead under consideration. We are calling on the 750,000 renters across the country to mobilise to demand rent certainty, as it is clear from recent statements from Minister Coveney that this will not be achieved without significant political pressure."

The first meeting took place last night, Thursday, in the union's Limerick office, with further meetings due to be held in Galway, Cork and Dublin as follows:

Galway: Wednesday 23 November, 7pm in the Habour Hotel, New Dock Road,

Cork: Monday 28 November, 7pm in The Imperical Hotel, South Mall,

Dublin: Monday 5 December, 7pm in Liberty Hall, Eden Quay,

The campaign organisers are encouraging renters to unify their voices and directly lobby their local representatives to support the campaign's core demands:

• That within his upcoming rent strategy document Minister Coveney commits to regulating rent rises via indexation to the Consumer Price Index (CPI)

• Revoke the right of landlords to evict tenants for the purpose of sale

• Move from current Part 4 tenancies to indefinite lease terms.

The Secure Rents campaign is a partnership campaign between the Communication Workers Union (CWU), the Financial Services Union (FSU), IMPACT, Mandate, SIPTU, Unite and Uplift.

(MH/CD)