TD Barry Cowen has come in for sharp criticism after the politician likened the eviction ban to giving free sweets to children.
The Fianna Fáil TD and brother of former Taoiseach Brian Cowen made the contentious comparison during Wednesday morning’s confidence motion, which was won by the government. The motion passed with support from Independent TDs, with 86 TDs voting in favour, compared to 67 votes against.
Addressing the Dáil during the motion, the TD for the Laois-Offaly constituency said:
“The crisis relating to evictions is, of course, immediate. We all agree on that.
“Given that fact, one would think opposition members would assist their councillor colleagues by exerting influence on councils to respond positively to the Government’s recent instructions and demands for councils to purchase units impacted by eviction notices, allowing tenants to remain in situ, and applying that policy to those who are or are not on housing lists. That is the solution.
“Keeping or extending the ban is not necessarily going to solve this crisis. It is like making sweets free for children. It is fine for a little while, but ultimately detrimental to the greater need.”
"It's like making sweets free for children" 🍬
Barry Cowen, brother of former Taoiseach Brian Cowen, had a very… interesting analogy for the eviction ban in Dáil Éireann today 🤔 pic.twitter.com/6PUeN0eGix
— JOE.ie (@JOEdotie) March 29, 2023
The TD urged opposition politicians to work alongside local authorities and councillors across the country, particularly on adopting the updated tenant in situ scheme.
Reaction could be heard erupting from the Opposition benches immediately after the remarks were made. Since the comments were made yesterday, anger has poured in from fellow politicians and members of the public.
Many social media users described the comparison as “condescending” in tone, “callous,” and out of touch.
Sports writer with the Irish Sun, Neil O’Riordan asked “what possessed” the TD to make the comments:
🤯 What possessed him to think this, never mind say it? Good insight into how he views people battling to keep a roof over their heads nonetheless. https://t.co/0OlwYMzPZ1
— Neil O'Riordan (@noriordan) March 29, 2023
Other social media users defended the TD, writing the turn of words was just “a bad choice of analogy”.
The TD defended his comments today, saying he was merely using an analogy. Speaking on RTE’s Today with Claire Byrne on Thursday, he said he was “sorry if people were offended” by what he said:
“What I said was just an analogy in order to get the message across that short-term solutions don’t always work in the long-term,” he said.
“I have four children myself, I wouldn’t say anything derogatory about children. I’m sorry if people were offended by what I said — it certainly wasn’t my intention.”
He was asked if he had prepared the comments in advance or if they were made off-the-cuff, to which he responded:
“I’d like people to hear the context in which I said that one sentence.
“I spoke about how this is a housing emergency and crisis. I spoke about how I’m working in my own county and implored other deputies to work with councils to act on Government instructions.
“For people to imply that I don’t appreciate, understand or have empathy for those who are faced with this situation — I’m an elected representative for the last 30 years. I have situations in my own county where social houses are being constructed.”
He added: “If people were offended by what I said, it wasn’t my intention. It wasn’t my intention. What more do you want me to say?”