Fórsa joined a coalition of trade unions, political parties, and civil society organisations on Wednesday 28th January, to urge the Government to end the “tsunami of evictions”, following Cabinet approval of the controversial Residential Tenancies Bill. 

The Raise the Roof campaign group has called for a permanent ban on "no-fault" evictions and demanded the Government defend the limited protections of Rent Pressure Zones (RPZs), which are set to be undermined by the proposed legislation.  

The legislation will allow landlords increase rents to “market level” every time a new tenancy commences, from March 2026. 

These proposed reforms will make renting all the more difficult for working people, including front-line essential workers across the health and education sectors. 

Speaking outside Leinster House, Irish Congress of Trade Unions president and general secretary of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, Phil Ní Sheaghdha said: “The trade union movement is concerned that Ireland is facing into a tsunami of evictions. The Residential Tenancies Bill will allow landlords to reset rents to so-called market levels every time they start a new tenancy."

"This will undermine the limited protections of existing rent pressure zone legislation and help to drive rents even higher. The impact on working people will be to squeeze renters even more and lock them out of the housing market to an even greater degree.” 

Fórsa’s director of campaigns, Kevin Donoghue, said: “This legislation affects workers severely, but particularly younger workers who have told us time and time again that housing is one of their top priorities in our annual membership surveys.”   

Kevin continued: “If the Government wants to retain and attract young people to work in our public services, it must deliver real protections for renters and tenants. Workers should not have to live in fear of eviction or be forced to choose between jobs and communities they love due to rent insecurity.” 

“Allowing rents to be reset at the start of each tenancy will further aggravate issues for those trapped in insecure and high-cost rentals.” 

Data from the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) reveals that nearly 15,000 notices of termination were issued in the first nine months of 2025. Projections suggest the full-year figure could exceed 20,000. 

The coalition issued this call as supporters gathered outside Leinster House on Wednesday of this week to protest the escalating housing crisis. 

Join a union that wins. Join Fórsa.